Hydrogen vehicles - are we there yet?

We often get asked about the potential for hydrogen fuel cells to be used as an alternative energy source for vehicles, and last week's article in BusinessWeek about the development of a hydrogen powered motorcycle brings the issue to the fore again.There is a big difference between the development of a new technology prototype and the real world availability of a commercially proven vehicle. For example, the first prototype of a hybrid engine vehicle was unveiled by Jacob Lohner and Ferdinand Porsche (yes, the same man who founded the Porsche car marque) in 1901. It was 100 years before the technology actually became available in the market-place, with the release of the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight at the turn of the 21st century.While the specific challenges for the development of hydrogen powered vehicles are likely to be very different, they are unlikely to be any less challenging. Concerns about the safe transport and handling of hydrogen, and the cost of developing the refuelling infrastructure (proving to be three to four times more expensive than conventional refuelling stations), suggest that hydrogen powered vehicles are unlikely to be more than an enthusiast's option in the next 40 to 50 years.Of course we should continue to pursue the development of hydrogen technologies. However in our view, making transport and environment policy on the basis of the ready availability of hydrogen powered vehicles in the next 15 to 20 years is the realm of Alice in Wonderland.