Kawasaki Motorcycle Forums - View Single Post - Hondas Fuel Cell Car and Home Power Station

Jgeekw · 11-19-2007

I'm all for being less dependent on foreign oil and being nicer to the environment, but I'm not sure if fuel cell vehicles are really the way to go.

Early estimates were showing these cars cost ~$1,000,000 to make. Fueling stations are few in number, and compressed hydrogen is somewhat dangerous.

Price wise, I think battery-electric vehicles have quite an advantage over fuel cell vehicles - not to mention the fact that we already have an electricity grid, whereas there is next to no infrastructure for hydrogen.

As an example, Tesla Motors is making a luxury (0-60 in under 4 seconds) battery-electric sports car, with a relatively small production run (probably about the same number as Honda is making of their FCV's), for ~$100,000.

It kind of makes me think these fuel cell vehicles are a big PR move, rather than a practical solution.

11-19-2007	#2 (permalink)
Jgeekw Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 58	I'm all for being less dependent on foreign oil and being nicer to the environment, but I'm not sure if fuel cell vehicles are really the way to go. Early estimates were showing these cars cost ~$1,000,000 to make. Fueling stations are few in number, and compressed hydrogen is somewhat dangerous. Price wise, I think battery-electric vehicles have quite an advantage over fuel cell vehicles - not to mention the fact that we already have an electricity grid, whereas there is next to no infrastructure for hydrogen. As an example, Tesla Motors is making a luxury (0-60 in under 4 seconds) battery-electric sports car, with a relatively small production run (probably about the same number as Honda is making of their FCV's), for ~$100,000. It kind of makes me think these fuel cell vehicles are a big PR move, rather than a practical solution.