Vehicle – Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell By 2015?

Most automobile industry estimates, just a couple of years ago, were that a hydrogen-powered vehicle would cost $ 1 million or even more. Toyota motors say they can offer a $50,000 MSRP hydrogen car as early as 2015. How is it that Toyota can cut the price so it is only 5% of the original estimate? Even if the price does drop by that much, will a hydrogen fuel cell powered automobile make economic sense?

Cars with Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cell cars are under research and development for many years. There were numerous different carmakers that ended up giving up their hydrogen fuel cell car programs. Hydrogen fuel cell electric autos convert hydrogen to electric power. It is expensive to make because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum.

Hydrogen automobile by Toyota

The automobile that by Toyota powered with hydrogen should be on the market by 2015. This wouldn't be the first HFCV on the road although it would be the first for mass market sale. In LA, the Honda FCX could be only leased. Toyota explains that the hydrogen fuel cell automobile they have can have a range like gas engines. The 95% drop in price will come from better mass-manufacturing processes and reducing the amount of platinum needed by two-thirds.

Infrastructure questions that are for Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

The biggest challenge with hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of infrastructure. Most carmakers have decided to invest resources in electric cars for the simple fact that a recharging or refueling infrastructure is much a lot more accessible. Fossil fuel is also what makes hydrogen. Fossil-fuel based hydrogen is not the only type of hydrogen available, but it is currently the least expensive source. The only carmakers that are continuing research into mass market HFCV's are Honda and Toyota. A hydrogen infrastructure would have to look much like a petroleum fuel infrastructure, with fueling stations around the country.

Article Resources

Wired.com

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/toyota-50000-fuel-cell-vehicle/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: wired/index (Wired: Index 3 (Top Stories 2))

Edmunds Blog

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/05/toyota-fuel-cell-vehicle-costs-to-fall-95-between-2005-and-2015-executive-says.html