Car – Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell By 2015?

Just a couple of years ago, most car-industry estimates were that a hydrogen-powered vehicle would cost $ 1 million or more. Toyota motors say they can offer a $50,000 MSRP hydrogen automobile 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?

Autos with Hydrogen Fuel Cells

For many years, Hydrogen fuel cell cars are under research. However, many major carmakers have canceled their hydrogen fuel cell automobile programs. In general, hydrogen fuel cell electric cars convert hydrogen to electric power, which drives an engine. Because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum, they tend to be very expensive to produce.

Hydrogen car by Toyota

The automobile that by Toyota powered with hydrogen should be on the market by 2015. Although it would be the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle on the market, it wouldn't be the first HFCV on the road. In LA, the Honda FCX could be only leased. Toyota explains the hydrogen fuel cell car they have can have a range like gas 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 largest challenge to hydrogen fuel cell automobiles 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 a lot more accessible. Fossil fuel is also what makes hydrogen. Fossil fuel is the least costly way of getting hydrogen although you will find other ways. Toyota and Honda are the only carmakers that are continuing research into mass-market HFCV’s. A hydrogen infrastructure would have to look much like a petroleum fuel infrastructure, with fueling stations that are 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