http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/05/news/compa...igoil_hydrogen/

Toyota, GM: Hydrogen fuels cells are not viable

http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0305-fuel_cells.html

Speaking at the Geneva auto show, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters that advances in lithium-ion batteries will enable electric cars to drive up to 300 miles without recharging, making them more attractive to the mass market. He added that fuel cells are too expensive for mainstream use.

Edited May 2, 200817 yr by BuddyP

honestly, fuel cells make more sense in non-mobile forms first anyway. Backup generators, etc. Hauling around tanks for hydrogen is an issue that's irrelevant for non-mobile applications, and if fuel cells can catch on in non-mobile apps, then that can start bringing the costs down for a potential use in cars later, if other tech doesn't advance to the point that it's not advantageous.

This is exciting. GM and Toyota are pushing plug-in hybrids, while Honda is pushing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Last year Takeo Fukui made a statement about plug-in hybrids, saying they are unnecessary and do not reduce emissions (link). Now it looks like GM and Toyota are firing back saying hydrogen fuel cell vehicles won't be viable for another 40 years. Who's going to be right? Perhaps they will both be right.

Also, plug-in hybrids should not be confused with traditional hybrids. Honda plans to release two new dedicated hybrid models in the next couple years, and plans to grow substantially, narrowing the gap with Toyota, perhaps even surpassing Toyota.

i have to say i would back the plug in hybrids just because of the fact that anyone can use them... the hydrogen on the other hand will have to wait until the filling stations for them become more mainstream and available. i'm sure than in japan they are concentrating efforts to get said filling stations spread around... ask anyone about alternate fuel here and they'll probably respond with "you mean corn?"

This is exciting. GM and Toyota are pushing plug-in hybrids, while Honda is pushing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Last year Takeo Fukui made a statement about plug-in hybrids, saying they are unnecessary and do not reduce emissions (link). Now it looks like GM and Toyota are firing back saying hydrogen fuel cell vehicles won't be viable for another 40 years. Who's going to be right? Perhaps they will both be right.

Also, plug-in hybrids should not be confused with traditional hybrids. Honda plans to release two new dedicated hybrid models in the next couple years, and plans to grow substantially, narrowing the gap with Toyota, perhaps even surpassing Toyota.

yup, round and round we go. I remember reading the articles back in '99 - '00 about GM's autonomy project and how it was going to be such an affordible and viable platform by 2010 or there abouts.