Are they going to start selling hydrogen fuel cell cars any time soon?I just saw a commercial for a hydgrogen car on tv, so it just got me thinking.
Yes they are-- as a test-- Honda will start leasing about 100 or so for $600 per month. Now don't get too excited! The cars cost Honda about $500,000 to build. Honda has said that in about 10 years they may be able to get the cost down to ONLY $90,000. Hydrogen fuel cells are decades away from being practical and relatively inexpensive--- this alternative energy scenario only works in Star Trek episodes. But who knows what 50 years might bring.
Honda is going to sell the world's first hydrogen fuel cell cars. However it's possible to convert a gasoline car to an hydrogen fuel cell car
Honda is already testing 200 of its hydrogen cars and California is working hard to set up a refueling infrastructure for Hydrogen which will involve 200 refueling stations from Washington to California. The cars are about 5-15 years away at the current pace, but it is sure to pick up speed RAPIDLY has fuel continues its price hikes. Hydrogen fuel is actually a very wonderful solution to the current gas problem and is even more efficient then E85. Most cars in the fleet can be converted over to run Hydrogen pretty easily. This is another fact that Peak Oil Anarchists choose to ignore :-)
Fuel cell cars will probably be out sooner. No need to have pure hydrogen in storage. Some fuel cells can split the hydrogen off of easily obtainable hydrocarbons like methane or LPG. Since fuel cells are more than twice as efficient as internal combustion engines people will wonder how we ever got along with just having a 400 or so mile range before having to refuel.
Honda is leasing the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car for $600/month (super expensive), but only a few hundred and only in southern California where there are a few hydrogen fueling stations. Hydrogen fuel cell cars won't be widespread for at least a few decades and possibly never, for reasons described in the link below.
