Toyota, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Honda and now Hyundai are busily rolling out hydrogen-powered production cars and it is no secret that the Californian government want to have millions of fuel-cell cars are trucks on their roads in around 10 years' time.
The Government Funding Issue
With this in mind, California are spending a massive $20m dollars every year - for the next 10 years - to reach their goals. They are going to build around 100 hydrogen dispensing stations; this is a really ambitious plan considering there are currently only 10 around the Southern California and San Francisco Bay area.
But the point is that they are doing it - they are putting their money where their mouth is. Could we say the same about our government when it comes to their track record; I mean, when we look at the electric charging point strategy? I don't think so.
How long will it take for fuel-cell to become part of everyday life?
The path hasn't been an easy one up until now as far as green cars go. And I am talking any sort of green car.
It wasn't too long ago that we all thought hydrogen cars would be in full swing over here by now. Even though it looks like we are still another 10 years away, at least things are starting to move - better late than never, as they say.
There has been over $10bn spend over the past decade by the world's leading car manufacturers so it is good that this investment is starting to show some real promise.
How viable are fuel-cell cars compared to current green car technologies?
The range of a hydrogen powered vehicle is more realistic when it comes to catering for everyday driving needs - the Hyundai Tuscon, for example, will do well over 280 miles per full 5.64 kilogram tank.
This means a cost of around £40 per tank (working on average current compressed gas costs in California). In addition, it only takes three minutes to fill it up.
So why do fuel-cell cars offer such a viable alternative to electric vehicle motoring? Well it's quite simple; hydrogen fuel-cell cars are powered by electric motors - just like those found in vehicles like the Nissan Leaf. The difference is that the hydrogen cars generate their own energy so the necessity to "plug in" is taken away.
Summary
I will be interested to find out more about the UK's plans to introduce fuel-cell cars into our driving plan; interestingly, the SMMT so see this technology becoming a major player going forward. Check out their great info graph below to see for yourself how their predictions for green car technology are likely to pan out over the next thirty years.
We will continue to keep you posted with all new developments but in the meantime, please do contact@MotorMistress on Twitter to get involved in the conversation and have your say!
Written by @MotorMistress
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