Hydrogen Cars

[bednobs]

just saw an ad for the toyota hydrogen car- i didnt even know they were available.

HOWEVER with only fourteen filling stations available in the uk, how viable are they really?  could you refill from somethig portable at home?

[barry1010]

I know very little about them but I did a quick search about fueling them from home.

It threw up some interesting links which I haven't linked to because I don't know if the information is reliable.  Apparently you can make it yourself at home.

 

 

 

[Hopkirk]

At one time I thought hydrogen was the future for transport, but the more I hear the less I think this.

Most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels which defeats the object.

The hydrogen that is produced by splitting water uses electricity to create it. A lot of electricity is needed (probably from fossil fuels power stations)

It then is used to generate electricity to move the car. There are big inefficiencies each time energy is used.

It's far more efficient to use the electricity to charge a battery.

 

Hydrogen is a very small molecule so it is very good at escaping through seals in storage and transport.

[Buenchico]

As I read it, the fledgling industry is initially concentrating on making hydrogen fuel available for trucks, with car users then being able to make use of the same filling stations:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/first-new-uk-hydrogen-fuelling-hub-open-2024

So anyone considering the purchase of a hydrogen-powered car might want to wait until the network of suitably-equipped truck stops is up and running.

[Old_Geezer]

The power used to create hydrogen need not be from fossil fuels. Hydrogen is best viewed as an option to store energy produced by other means. It is vastly more useable than most other forms, aside from fossil fuels. And doesn't require risky batteries created from particular elements that are often mined in questionable circumstances. Converting electricity to hydrogen still seems a good route forward to me. We just need sufficient electricity creation to get the process going. Nuclear seems a good bet. Otherwise whatever "green" options we can get to work.