Hydrogen...There is an Alternative

[3798j]

It's thirty three minutes but many will find it worth watching...

 

[NutmegCT]

Sure seems more practical for long-distance, and for re-fueling, than today's EVs.

 

[AngliaGT]

I just read an article today which said,in part,that Ford lost $60,000 on every
new EV they sold,due to the huge investments they've made into them,and that
EVs only account for about 6% of all new car sales here.

 

[waltesefalcon]

I just read an article today which said,in part,that Ford lost $60,000 on every
new EV they sold,due to the huge investments they've made into them,and that
EVs only account for about 6% of all new car sales here.

Ouch. I understand that EVs present an ever more viable option for car manufacturers and owners. However, the way that some politicians, and manufacturers have jumped on the band wagon is insane.

EVs are not a replacement for all IC powered vehicles. They make sense in certain circumstances only, such as city environments in which a vehicle is not being driven great distances. They require an infrastructure that simply doesn't exist in most parts of the world, including the USA.

They are at best a supplemental form of transportation to the IC powered fleet that is on the road already.

 

[AngliaGT]

I want to see how they come up with a Fire Engine/Truck
that works.Many are used long hours with all of the lights
going.I guess you'd need to tow a really big gas powered
generator behind it.
The same goes for a chain saw that would cut down a Redwood tree.

 

[PStirling]

It's thirty three minutes but many will find it worth watching...

Great information and really cool truck... Might need this on the '60 TR3A LOL!

 

[colourgeek]

I want to see how they come up with a Fire Engine/Truck
that works.Many are used long hours with all of the lights
going.I guess you'd need to tow a really big gas powered
generator behind it.
The same goes for a chain saw that would cut down a Redwood tree.

That this is currently true, doesn't mean a Fire Truck couldn't be built around EV technology. Nobody would buy one right now, but what happens when the price of a barrel of oil goes over $200(US)?. (A price that it almost made in 2008)
An issue with hydrogen is it's currently being produced in volume by cracking natural gas, which is not ideal. That can change.
The maintenance requirements of EV is very attractive in comparison to IC, too.

 

[Rocky_LC]

I’m glad someone pointed out how hydrogen is produced…. It’s certainly not “green” right now.

 

[NutmegCT]

Considering the strong negative environmental impact of oil based fuels and EV battery production (and recharging) -

another low-impact alternative is: propane.

 

[maynard]

Another problem is the hydrogen molecule (H2) is so small that it is difficult and expensive to protect it from leaking. Remember the Hindenburg.

 

[PAUL161]

We have a computer-controlled 20 KW Propane generator which runs automatically for 15 minutes once a week to check itself, plus two outages a week at a time and when changing the oil after a year of use, there is no visible carbon in the oil or anywhere! The oil looks like it just came out of the can. Propane produces literally zero carbon deposits.