Not Logged In Log In   Sign Up   Points Leaders
Follow Us    4:02 PM

GasBuddy News Article

27
votes
Japan takes the lead in hydrogen-fueled cars

UPI Asia -- Tokyo, Japan — In the wake of last year's soaring crude oil prices, coupled with a growing environmental awareness, the development of alternative energy sources is moving into high gear. Among next-generation energy sources, hydrogen is proving to be a favorite.

Japan started selling the world's first household hydrogen fuel cell this year, and stands on the verge of selling fuel-cell vehicles. But there are still difficult challenges involving the manufacturing, storing and transporting of hydrogen. For these reasons, some experts say the advent of the hydrogen economy might be a pipedream.


Read the Full Article

Submitted Nov 20, 2009 By: GM
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Japan takes the lead in hydrogen-fueled cars Topic is locked Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
Profile Pic
Naturenut99
All-Star Author Illinois

Posts:966
Points:288,580
Joined:Sep 2009
Message Posted: Nov 23, 2009 12:25:48 PM

I believe the big point of this article should be (along with the headline)...
"By the time FCVs are commercially available in 2015 they will be cheaper than a Rolls-Royce, but it will be difficult to price them down to the level of a Corolla,” said Kenichiro Ota, a professor at Yokohama National University. A Rolls-Royce costs around US$550,000 and a Corolla $22,000."

Should be cheaper than a Rolls-Royce by 2015.
EV's / PHEV's cost 10 times LESS than that NOW.
Give EV's / PHEV's more time and they will be cheaper still.

The only reason they are still trying for FCV's is for there to be something for the oil co's to sell.
Profile Pic
kelsielee
Champion Author Atlanta

Posts:3,389
Points:672,025
Joined:Sep 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 2:09:25 PM

Still a very expensive option - that may or may not be commercially viable in the future.
Profile Pic
adr47
Champion Author Saskatchewan

Posts:4,855
Points:1,019,855
Joined:Nov 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 12:50:57 PM

Japan is ahead because North America has got used to cheap oil and is still in denial
Profile Pic
bluebird1
Champion Author Toronto

Posts:13,438
Points:2,657,005
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:41:24 AM

Good for them....and to mreiff this is likely out of necessity. Gas is what maybe $2.70/gal US in your area...here in Toronto Ont. the price has been pretty stable at $4.45+ /gal Cdn...much higher than warranted. UK is traditionally about double ie. they pay in pounds what we Cdns pay in $'s.
Japan likely pays more than that again. I know mid-2008 it was 133 yen/L after a big drop. If still the same, this is $1.52 USD/L (according to Yahoo currency converter) which is $6.90/gal.
Paying 2.5 times what you are for a commodity is a strong motivator to find an alternative.
Profile Pic
mreiff
Champion Author Louisville

Posts:3,366
Points:849,480
Joined:May 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:11:37 AM

As usual, Japan leads the US in technology and engineering.
Profile Pic
mazdaboy
Champion Author Portland

Posts:5,568
Points:1,639,155
Joined:Aug 2003
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:11:07 AM

Pressurized hydrogen? And I thought driving in vehicles with gasoline was dangerous. Now we are going to have 4 wheeled Hindenburgs all over the highways.
Profile Pic
Cerberus2k
Champion Author Phoenix

Posts:1,199
Points:1,019,705
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:07:07 AM

Japan is the tech capital of the world.
Profile Pic
Patch44
Champion Author Buffalo

Posts:5,603
Points:1,359,135
Joined:Oct 2007
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:01:51 AM

It's still better than OPEC terroist oil.
Profile Pic
yclookout
Champion Author Sacramento

Posts:5,180
Points:910,145
Joined:Jul 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:01:40 AM

Hydrogen is SAFE, the uninformed who keep crying Hindenburg have no idea what they are talking about! The massive fire that destroyed the Hindenburg was the burning aluminum paint on the envelope, NOT the hydrogen. Powered metals are used in fireworks. Hydrogen is difficult to ignite, and even if there were to be a fire, the actual flame would be several feet above the fuel tank.
Profile Pic
THEDodgeman
Champion Author Denver

Posts:5,646
Points:1,483,580
Joined:Apr 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:53:14 AM

GO JAPAN...I posted this would happen..American auto makers always behind the 8 ball.
THIS IS WHY THEY ARE ALL GOING BROKE HERE.
Profile Pic
smoketown
Champion Author Cincinnati

Posts:4,004
Points:935,690
Joined:Feb 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:51:44 AM

Screw the so called experts
Profile Pic
DirtDauber
Champion Author San Antonio

Posts:4,430
Points:1,165,275
Joined:Nov 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:49:58 AM

Sure seems to have lots of difficult storage problems.

Probably ought to be crash proof also.
Profile Pic
Tnerbeel
Champion Author Houston

Posts:6,373
Points:1,287,885
Joined:Mar 2007
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:46:21 AM

Filling up with compressed hydrogen at a station is a scary thought. One small leak + one small spark and 'Hindenburg'!
Profile Pic
Don20
Champion Author Oklahoma City

Posts:7,307
Points:2,156,095
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:45:03 AM

Hydrogen is the way to go, but we have to perfect the ability to store without leaking out. We need to continue the research and development as hydrogen is cheap its all around us...
Profile Pic
w4kh
Champion Author Riverside

Posts:9,326
Points:1,765,100
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:44:53 AM

Japan has a totally different mindset thsn the US... they do not have large numbers of people driving around at high speeds in 4x4 crew cab pickups with only the driver and nothing in the truck bed, or soccer moms in SUVs... no one in Japan is squalling about their right to be wasteful... the Japanese people and the government recognize the importance of getting free of imported oil, unlike the "free" US, who cling to oil. Small wonder that Japan is taking the lead and the US is falling behind on alternative energy research.
Profile Pic
USAFA82
Champion Author Colorado Springs

Posts:7,400
Points:1,374,565
Joined:Feb 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:44:42 AM

Sound promising.
Profile Pic
squeakyUT
All-Star Author Salt Lake City

Posts:874
Points:244,520
Joined:Jun 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:40:08 AM

We have lost that competitive edge to other countries. The only thing we lead in is ripping the public off and Wall Street salaries.
Profile Pic
gabbygusIN
Champion Author Indiana

Posts:4,896
Points:1,095,900
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:37:01 AM

Go Japan! When are we going to be the 1st anything??
Profile Pic
gasforus
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:6,794
Points:1,730,540
Joined:Dec 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:35:55 AM

Great, but the infrastructure does'nt exist! We would need hydrogen stations.
Profile Pic
EricON
Veteran Author Ontario

Posts:344
Points:640,040
Joined:Jul 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:33:03 AM

hydrogen will be a reality as soon as our quest for cheap fossil fuels runs out
Profile Pic
jb107
Champion Author New Jersey

Posts:7,228
Points:2,158,485
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:31:46 AM

Do we take the lead in anything any more?
Profile Pic
yukonjack
Champion Author Georgia

Posts:5,123
Points:1,468,125
Joined:Oct 2004
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:30:10 AM

If they figure out how to extract hydrogen from air on the fly, then there would be no need for hydrogen filling stations. That would probably take a pretty big piece of equipment though, but if not, then the faster you go, the more hydrogen you can suck in and use. Fantasy, I know. But who knows.
Profile Pic
Helms
Champion Author Fort Worth

Posts:4,734
Points:1,496,980
Joined:Jun 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:30:07 AM

Go Japan go!! Save us because we can;t stand any more of nobama's "help"
Profile Pic
madison8359
Champion Author Cleveland

Posts:5,758
Points:1,130,665
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:29:57 AM

Many expert believe that hydrogen will be the energy of the future.

It is abundant, safe when handled correctly and will eventually be relatively inexpensive.

Where are the Americans in this emerging technology. We already use it for space flights!
Profile Pic
TeachR06
Champion Author Raleigh

Posts:3,535
Points:1,018,660
Joined:Sep 2006
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:29:06 AM

Keep up the alternative research. That's the only way to go.
Profile Pic
Ringmaster2008
Champion Author Ontario

Posts:5,353
Points:844,455
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:28:45 AM

Japan has lead in new technology for quite a while.
Profile Pic
bbreff
Champion Author Atlanta

Posts:7,662
Points:2,131,990
Joined:Jun 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:44 AM



When will the US wakw up and do something to help out with the high oil prices?

Profile Pic
CharlieC08
Champion Author Colorado

Posts:6,399
Points:1,155,175
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:37 AM

Natural gas please.
Profile Pic
biza4u
Champion Author New Haven

Posts:6,192
Points:1,167,885
Joined:Jan 2007
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:22 AM

Hydrogen is the way to go. We need more research into it and get the auto manufacturers on board
Profile Pic
twiper1
Champion Author San Diego

Posts:5,492
Points:1,142,460
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:21 AM

Right now Hydrogen is not practical because there is NO hydrogen stations
Profile Pic
Rednix
Champion Author Miami

Posts:3,904
Points:817,995
Joined:Jul 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:26:35 AM

We need to wake up and join Japan in this.
Profile Pic
Bou
Champion Author Maine

Posts:9,624
Points:2,211,155
Joined:Jan 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:24:38 AM

Sounds promising, but why can't we burn it as alternative to gas?
Profile Pic
granma3xnow
Champion Author Indiana

Posts:1,998
Points:410,675
Joined:Dec 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:22:35 AM

When I hear "hydrogen" I think BOMB. Makes me nervous.
Profile Pic
Sam195
Champion Author San Bernardino

Posts:5,770
Points:1,117,925
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:21:44 AM

Hydrogen is better than oil.
Profile Pic
civicdutie
Champion Author Rochester

Posts:3,010
Points:611,275
Joined:Nov 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:20:16 AM

Filling your car up with hyrdrogen sounds riskier than gasoline. How expensive will it be to outfit current gas stations with the equipment necessary to fill your car with it?
Profile Pic
Jarol
Champion Author Iowa

Posts:6,018
Points:1,129,465
Joined:Nov 2007
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:52 AM

I hope they have a technical breakthrough.
Profile Pic
CarrottopNe
Champion Author Lincoln

Posts:1,025
Points:368,415
Joined:Jan 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:24 AM

US's only hope in hydrogen-fueled cars will come from Ford if any company is going to compete with Japan.
Profile Pic
Cheepo
Champion Author Tampa

Posts:7,603
Points:2,675,740
Joined:Apr 2003
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:23 AM

Go hydrogen, GO!!!!!!!!!!
Profile Pic
HEBster
Champion Author Kentucky

Posts:6,479
Points:1,918,290
Joined:May 2006
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:54 AM

This seems like the best technology to me...
Profile Pic
CISA
Champion Author Orange County

Posts:4,456
Points:1,102,700
Joined:Dec 2006
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:51 AM

let them lose money for the market development -- much like the pioneers took the first arrows.
Profile Pic
Buffalo Joe
Champion Author Alberta

Posts:7,458
Points:2,077,075
Joined:Feb 2003
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:01 AM

Japan is #1 in Electronics, Honda's, and Toyota's. Now watch out for alternative energy.
Profile Pic
murdershewrote
Champion Author Riverside

Posts:7,278
Points:2,147,685
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:14:18 AM

japan is passing us by again
Profile Pic
qmyster
All-Star Author Denver

Posts:570
Points:166,640
Joined:Aug 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:14:04 AM

Go Japan.
Profile Pic
Ticoman54
Champion Author Miami

Posts:4,960
Points:1,060,025
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:10:01 AM

Any alternative to fossil fuel is a step in the right direction.

Imagine if we had considered electricity, telephone, television, computer, automobile, internet,etc. all as pipe dreams, where would we be today?
Profile Pic
Toppers
Champion Author Atlanta

Posts:6,678
Points:2,008,950
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:08:40 AM

Hope they can make it a reality...but doubt it!
Profile Pic
148366
Champion Author Spokane

Posts:3,646
Points:1,371,125
Joined:Apr 2007
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:08:35 AM

It is the challenges that have to be over come that are the problem.
Profile Pic
rvn4me
Champion Author Texas

Posts:3,279
Points:1,033,740
Joined:Jan 2009
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:08 AM

I agree that it looks more like a pipe dream.
Profile Pic
tazdriver
Champion Author Huntsville

Posts:4,913
Points:1,559,145
Joined:Jan 2007
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:00 AM

Hydrogen needs lots of research and proving to overcome a host of problems but overall has great potential
Profile Pic
sleepyt
Champion Author Chicago

Posts:2,294
Points:704,745
Joined:Mar 2008
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:24 AM

The only problem I have with what you wrote, Bikechuck, is that you have one basic fact wrong. The vast majority of the deficit spending wasn't done by Obama or the Democratic Congress.

It was done by the Bush Administration (W.) and a Republican controlled Congress.

Other than failing to assign the blame properly, the effects are correctly described.
Profile Pic
Voltus
Champion Author Miami

Posts:6,248
Points:1,126,075
Joined:May 2005
Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:06 AM

I hope it does not go the way Zeppelins went... down in fumes!
Topic is locked Back to Topics