Car – 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 car's value does drop that much, does it even make economic sense?

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been under research and development for many years. However, many major carmakers have canceled their hydrogen fuel cell car programs. Electric power, which drives an engine, is created by hydrogen fuel cells that will convert hydrogen into electricity. It is costly to make because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum.

Hydrogen automobile by Toyota

The car that by Toyota powered with hydrogen should be on the market by 2015. This would not 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 claims their hydrogen fuel cell car may have a range comparable to gasoline engines. The 95% drop in price will come from better manufacturing processes and from reducing the amount of platinum needed by two-thirds.

Infrastructure questions for Hydrogen fuel cell automobiles

The biggest challenge with hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of infrastructure. Most carmakers have decided to invest resources in electric autos for the little fact that a recharging or refueling infrastructure is going to be much more accessible. Hydrogen is also usually made of fossil fuel. Fossil-fuel based hydrogen is not the only type of hydrogen accessible, but it is presently the least costly source. The only carmakers that are continuing research into mass market HFCV's are Honda and Toyota. A hydrogen infrastructure would need to look like a petroleum fuel infrastructure, with fueling stations that are placed all around the country.

Sources for the article

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