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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.

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Submitted Nov 20, 2009 By: GM

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Naturenut99 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:857 Points:156,425 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2009 12:25:48 PM Ignore Naturenut99 Report Abuse 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.
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,384 Points:664,100 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 2:09:25 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse Still a very expensive option - that may or may not be commercially viable in the future.
adr47 Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:2,391 Points:536,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 12:50:57 PM Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Japan is ahead because North America has got used to cheap oil and is still in denial
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:10,709 Points:2,143,270 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:41:24 AM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse 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.
mreiff Champion Author Louisville Posts:1,613 Points:362,195 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:11:37 AM Ignore mreiff Report Abuse As usual, Japan leads the US in technology and engineering.
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:3,007 Points:1,133,225 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:11:07 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse 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.
Cerberus2k Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,047 Points:644,315 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:07:07 AM Ignore Cerberus2k Report Abuse Japan is the tech capital of the world.
Patch44 Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,758 Points:899,835 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:01:51 AM Ignore Patch44 Report Abuse It's still better than OPEC terroist oil.
yclookout Champion Author Sacramento Posts:2,105 Points:404,200 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:01:40 AM Ignore yclookout Report Abuse 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.
THEDodgeman Champion Author Denver Posts:3,053 Points:969,190 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:53:14 AM Ignore THEDodgeman Report Abuse GO JAPAN...I posted this would happen..American auto makers always behind the 8 ball. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE ALL GOING BROKE HERE.
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,880 Points:597,260 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:51:44 AM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse Screw the so called experts
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,820 Points:650,695 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:49:58 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse Sure seems to have lots of difficult storage problems. Probably ought to be crash proof also.
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:3,737 Points:774,585 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:46:21 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse Filling up with compressed hydrogen at a station is a scary thought. One small leak + one small spark and 'Hindenburg'!
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,729 Points:1,644,800 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:45:03 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse 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...
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:6,856 Points:1,274,470 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:44:53 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse 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.
USAFA82 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:4,867 Points:874,340 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:44:42 AM Ignore USAFA82 Report Abuse Sound promising.
squeakyUT All-Star Author Salt Lake City Posts:874 Points:244,520 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:40:08 AM Ignore squeakyUT Report Abuse We have lost that competitive edge to other countries. The only thing we lead in is ripping the public off and Wall Street salaries.
gabbygusIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,360 Points:594,075 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:37:01 AM Ignore gabbygusIN Report Abuse Go Japan! When are we going to be the 1st anything??
EricON Veteran Author Ontario Posts:305 Points:225,485 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:33:03 AM Ignore EricON Report Abuse hydrogen will be a reality as soon as our quest for cheap fossil fuels runs out
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,684 Points:1,643,990 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:31:46 AM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse Do we take the lead in anything any more?
yukonjack Champion Author Georgia Posts:4,384 Points:1,139,045 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:30:10 AM Ignore yukonjack Report Abuse 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.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,234 Points:1,223,750 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:30:07 AM Ignore Helms Report Abuse Go Japan go!! Save us because we can;t stand any more of nobama's "help"
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,868 Points:620,335 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:29:57 AM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse 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!
TeachR06 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:3,535 Points:1,012,760 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:29:06 AM Ignore TeachR06 Report Abuse Keep up the alternative research. That's the only way to go.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,927 Points:500,160 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:28:45 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse Japan has lead in new technology for quite a while.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,159 Points:1,636,095 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:44 AM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse When will the US wakw up and do something to help out with the high oil prices?
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:3,807 Points:647,245 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:37 AM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Natural gas please.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,601 Points:655,455 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:22 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Hydrogen is the way to go. We need more research into it and get the auto manufacturers on board
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,926 Points:628,095 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:27:21 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Right now Hydrogen is not practical because there is NO hydrogen stations
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:1,633 Points:338,765 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:26:35 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse We need to wake up and join Japan in this.
Bou Champion Author Maine Posts:6,362 Points:1,701,840 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:24:38 AM Ignore Bou Report Abuse Sounds promising, but why can't we burn it as alternative to gas?
granma3xnow Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,998 Points:410,675 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:22:35 AM Ignore granma3xnow Report Abuse When I hear "hydrogen" I think BOMB. Makes me nervous.
Sam195 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,205 Points:616,325 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:21:44 AM Ignore Sam195 Report Abuse Hydrogen is better than oil.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,667 Points:539,390 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:20:16 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse 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?
Jarol Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,348 Points:613,035 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:52 AM Ignore Jarol Report Abuse I hope they have a technical breakthrough.
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:24 AM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse US's only hope in hydrogen-fueled cars will come from Ford if any company is going to compete with Japan.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,064 Points:2,177,140 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:18:23 AM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Go hydrogen, GO!!!!!!!!!!
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,928 Points:1,407,385 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:54 AM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse This seems like the best technology to me...
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,099 Points:674,520 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:51 AM Ignore CISA Report Abuse let them lose money for the market development -- much like the pioneers took the first arrows.
BeaverBilly Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,970 Points:1,573,685 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:15:01 AM Ignore BeaverBilly Report Abuse Japan is #1 in Electronics, Honda's, and Toyota's. Now watch out for alternative energy.
murdershewrote Champion Author Riverside Posts:4,622 Points:1,631,260 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:14:18 AM Ignore murdershewrote Report Abuse japan is passing us by again
qmyster All-Star Author Denver Posts:570 Points:166,540 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:14:04 AM Ignore qmyster Report Abuse Go Japan.
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:2,596 Points:583,170 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:10:01 AM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse 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?
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,107 Points:1,499,340 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:08:40 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Hope they can make it a reality...but doubt it!
148366 Champion Author Spokane Posts:3,646 Points:1,032,500 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:08:35 AM Ignore 148366 Report Abuse It is the challenges that have to be over come that are the problem.
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:1,872 Points:551,810 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:08 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse I agree that it looks more like a pipe dream.
tazdriver Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,892 Points:1,179,000 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:00 AM Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse Hydrogen needs lots of research and proving to overcome a host of problems but overall has great potential
sleepyt Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,386 Points:418,085 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:24 AM Ignore sleepyt Report Abuse 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.
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:3,283 Points:650,005 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:05:06 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse I hope it does not go the way Zeppelins went... down in fumes!
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:4,004 Points:1,049,170 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:04:30 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Seems like the Japan is always well ahead on Technology.