Originally Posted by
DiscoMick
Like EVs, hydrogen provides a way of producing a vehicle with zero emissions at the point of use (like EVs, just how low their carbon footprint and other pollution is depends on how the hydrogen/electricity is made - in Australia, most electricity is coal fired, worldwide most hydrogen is produced from natural gas - both processes are not energy efficient).
The big advantage of hydrogen is that it removes the range and battery weight (and cost) issues that EVs have.
But instead of this it uses a gas that cannot be liquified at non-cryogenic temperatures, will leak through almost anything a the pressures needed to store a reasonable quantity, and is explosive over a very wide range of proportions when mixed with air. And unlike electricity, does not have an existing distribution network. (In theory, it could be generated on site using electricity, but this is energy inefficient compared to battery use) Also, running an IC engine on hydrogen is very inefficient compared to an EV. Fuel cells are much more efficient, but at the present are bulky and eye-wateringly expensive.
I think it may be worth noting that various European countries plus China, when planning the end of petrol and diesel cars, are talking electric not hydrogen.
I suspect that ultimately, hydrogen may find a niche for truck and bus fleets, where the vehicles can be refuelled from a central point, but I doubt there is much future for it in cars.
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
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