What will it take to get fuel-cell vehicles on the road nationwide?

Question

Hydrogen-fueled vehicles (fuel cell cars) cause no geenhouse gases. And hydrogen will never be exhausted. So what are we waiting for?

Answer 1

Lots of things.

First, we need an environmentally friendly and cheap source of hydrogen. Your claims that they cause no greenhouse gases is incorrect, because the hydrogen has to come from somewhere. The only reasonably efficient method we have of getting hydrogen right now is from natural gas, and the process emits as much CO2 as burning gasoline.

Theoretically you can get hydrogen from water, but you have to break the atomic bonds, which requires a ton of energy. At the moment it takes a lot more energy than you're going to get out by burning the hydrogen.

Secondly, even if we had a good source of hydrogen, we have no infrastructure to transport it and store it. You have to have an easy way to refuel the hydrogen fuel cells. Building such infrastructure will cost billions of dollas, and who's going to pay for that?

Especially since electric cars are becoming advanced, are more environmentally friendly, and the infrastructure (power grid) is already in place.

Answer 2

Dana1981 has half the information answering your question. There is a technology for storing and handling using sodium borohydride, a non-flammable aqueous solution. Hydrogen is released in the fuel cell in the vehicle, and the end product is borax, good for doing your laundry or recycling back into hydrogen borohydride at the refinery. Check out this website:
http://www.millenniumcell.com/fw/main/Overview-27.html

The other half of the answer is the cost of making fuel cells, which consist of lots of little precision-made parts. With mass production, fuel cells will get cheaper, but for right now they're pretty expensive.

Answer 3

We are waiting for the technology to produce the hydrogen or it's portable precursors cheaply and without producing greenhouse gases in the process.

The real answer to greenhouse gases and fossil fuel depletion is to reduce consumption (for example by walking or pedalling and by buying less stuff). A simpler lifestyle is more fun than keeping up with the neighbours.

Answer 4

If fuel-cell vehicles were practical they would be recalled and crushed - see the history of battery electric vehicles.
http://www.whokilledtheelecriccar.com

Fuel cell research is a way to get 'round the CARB requirement for produing zero emmission vehicles

Hydrogen is not readily avaiable on this planet. it is locked up with other chemicals, unlocking it requires a lot of energy. Then it is expensive/complicated to transport and store. I don't imagine people will be allowed to home brew hydrogen in their basements or garage.
(but you could have a home generator to charge your battery car)

Answer 5

Where will the hydrogen come from???? Hydrogen does not exist 'naturally' - it must be made from other sources. 'Making' hydrogen takes a lot - a lot - of energy!!!

Answer 6

You want to ride around with hydrogen in your lap (or under your butt)? Remember the Hindenburg!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindenburg_disaster