Originally published April 22 2005
Automakers believe the future of transportation lies in hydrogen fuel cells
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Automakers in both the US and Japan are looking to hydrogen as the fuel for the next generation of automobiles. By providing power without dangerous emissions, hydrogen fuel cells would be much better on the environment and could end the world's reliance on oil. However, there are still many challenges facing hydrogen fuel cells. They are still very expensive and there in no infrastructure in place to refuel cars easily on the road. But the biggest obstacle is public perception of hydrogen. When people think of hydrogen, they often think of the Hindenburg disaster, making people skittish about fueling their cars with the flammable gas.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- For Ford Motor Co. engineer Vance Zanardelli, the hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles of tomorrow face several obstacles, but the challenge of winning over the public may be best summed up by the 1937 Hindenburg disaster.
Zanardelli, addressing the National Hydrogen Association's annual conference on Thursday, showed old black-and-white footage of the hydrogen-fueled zeppelin bursting into flames.
Automakers acknowledged a series of hurdles facing hydrogen fuel cell technology, but presented a bullish future that holds the promise of zero emissions and a sustainable energy source produced when hydrogen and oxygen are mixed.
Many say the cost of the vehicles and a lack of fueling stations make them unmarketable for now.
Automakers described several challenges, including the need for an infrastructure of hydrogen pumps and overcoming the perception from motorists that the highly flammable gas may create dangers.
On the technical side, automakers said the industry has made advances in improving the fuel cell's ability to power vehicles for hundreds of miles and operate under bitter cold and desert-like conditions.
"We're on the road to making the vision real," said Christine Sloane, General Motors Corp.'s director of environmental policy and programs.
GM has said it hopes to begin using hydrogen fuel cells in marketable cars by 2010.
Ford announced plans to deliver eight hydrogen-fueled shuttle buses to Florida and will distribute Ford Focus fuel cell vehicles for use in the United States, Canada and Germany.
Mazda is working on a hydrogen-fueled rotary-engine version of its RX-8 sports car.
Pierre Rivard, president and chief executive of Toronto-based Hydrogenics, said he remained optimistic for the future, saying the industry was "within striking distance of the cost of these markets."
"I believe we're not that far off from having a workable infrastructure," Rivard said.
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