Comments on: Are fuel cells the ultimate eco cars? The Green Piece http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2010/01/19/are-fuel-cells-the-ultimate-eco-cars-the-green-piece/ The latest news on green cars Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:31:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mike Halpin http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2010/01/19/are-fuel-cells-the-ultimate-eco-cars-the-green-piece/comment-page-1/#comment-7835 Mike Halpin Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:16:01 +0000 http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/?p=7283#comment-7835 Electric cars and H.F.C.'s are out of the same stable and I predict it will not be a one horse race as we move away from the I.C.E. The cars of tomorrow will be powered by a combination of fuel cells,batteries and super capacitors. I have just returned from Hope Island Australia where the locals go shopping in their golf carts, my grandchildren had to push their buggy home one day as the batteries were flat [blaming each other for not putting it on charge] I'm sure one day these gated communities will have fuel cell carts with their own hydrogen filling station or produce their own hydrogen at home by splitting water using their abundant sunshine. Mike H. founder HYDROGENHEADS Electric cars and H.F.C.’s are out of the same stable and I predict it will not be a one horse race as we move away from the I.C.E. The cars of tomorrow will be powered by a combination of fuel cells,batteries and super capacitors.
I have just returned from Hope Island Australia where the locals go shopping in their golf carts, my grandchildren had to push their buggy home one day as the batteries were flat [blaming each other for not putting it on charge]
I’m sure one day these gated communities will have fuel cell carts with their own hydrogen filling station or produce their own hydrogen at home by splitting water using their abundant sunshine.
Mike H. founder HYDROGENHEADS

]]> By: Bay Elliott http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2010/01/19/are-fuel-cells-the-ultimate-eco-cars-the-green-piece/comment-page-1/#comment-7833 Bay Elliott Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:17:49 +0000 http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/?p=7283#comment-7833 Faye, you are absolutely correct in stating that H2 FC tech and FCVs are at an inflexion point. Government backing through research and development funding as well as incentive programs continue to be extremely important. There is quite a bright light in the tunnel though: In the past two years there have been significant breakthroughs in both efficacy and cost reductions in both H2 FC materials and tech as well as in H2 gen tech (as well as electric motor tech) and we should see those prototypes currently operating go to production units within 18 months, long before the 2015 manufacturer fleet deployment targets. The new tech developments have efficacies which will pull adoption because the costs will be extremely competitive with current hydrocarbon tech. The new breakthroughs will allow distributed FCPUs and H2 gen (solar or other source), significantly reducing the currently envisioned impediments (and cost) to the H2 supply infrastructure. Add the new electric motor tech and shifting to carbon fiber structures and you will have vehicle efficiencies which will be jaw dropping. Faye, you are absolutely correct in stating that H2 FC tech and FCVs are at an inflexion point. Government backing through research and development funding as well as incentive programs continue to be extremely important. There is quite a bright light in the tunnel though: In the past two years there have been significant breakthroughs in both efficacy and cost reductions in both H2 FC materials and tech as well as in H2 gen tech (as well as electric motor tech) and we should see those prototypes currently operating go to production units within 18 months, long before the 2015 manufacturer fleet deployment targets. The new tech developments have efficacies which will pull adoption because the costs will be extremely competitive with current hydrocarbon tech. The new breakthroughs will allow distributed FCPUs and H2 gen (solar or other source), significantly reducing the currently envisioned impediments (and cost) to the H2 supply infrastructure. Add the new electric motor tech and shifting to carbon fiber structures and you will have vehicle efficiencies which will be jaw dropping.

]]> By: Greg Blencoe http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2010/01/19/are-fuel-cells-the-ultimate-eco-cars-the-green-piece/comment-page-1/#comment-7832 Greg Blencoe Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:12:52 +0000 http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/?p=7283#comment-7832 Are fuel cells the ultimate eco cars? I think the answer is a resounding yes. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are far superior to battery-only cars in the following four areas (which mainstream consumers care A LOT about): 1. Driving range 2. Fueling time 3. Cold weather performance 4. Trunk/passenger space Just look at the Toyota FCHV-adv (mid-size SUV) hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the following four areas (how do battery-only cars compare?): 1. 431-mile real-world driving range 2. 3-5 minute fueling time 3. Ability to operate in temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit 4. Same trunk and passenger space as the gasoline-powered version which is the Highlander Furthermore, Toyota has said that the company plans on bringing "affordable" hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to market by 2015. "7 reasons to love Toyota hydrogen fuel cell vehicles" http://www.h2carblog.com/?p=16 The focus now should be on building lots of hydrogen fueling stations by 2015. Greg Blencoe Chief Executive Officer Hydrogen Discoveries, Inc. "Hydrogen Car Revolution" blog Are fuel cells the ultimate eco cars?

I think the answer is a resounding yes.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are far superior to battery-only cars in the following four areas (which mainstream consumers care A LOT about):

1. Driving range
2. Fueling time
3. Cold weather performance
4. Trunk/passenger space

Just look at the Toyota FCHV-adv (mid-size SUV) hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the following four areas (how do battery-only cars compare?):

1. 431-mile real-world driving range
2. 3-5 minute fueling time
3. Ability to operate in temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit
4. Same trunk and passenger space as the gasoline-powered version which is the Highlander

Furthermore, Toyota has said that the company plans on bringing “affordable” hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to market by 2015.

“7 reasons to love Toyota hydrogen fuel cell vehicles”

http://www.h2carblog.com/?p=16

The focus now should be on building lots of hydrogen fueling stations by 2015.

Greg Blencoe
Chief Executive Officer
Hydrogen Discoveries, Inc.
“Hydrogen Car Revolution” blog

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