Toyota, GM and Hydrogen Power

It’s not often that we post on something said by a General Motors executive, but this is an exception to the rule.

It happens that Larry Burns, the General’s vice president for research and development, made some comments during a speech at the National Hydrogen Association conference in Sacramento recently that we find very interesting.

Mr. Burns basically said that as far as GM is concerned, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are ready for prime time. All they need is a fuel infrastructure to support them.

He suggested that an infrastructure of 12,000 hydrogen stations would put 70 percent of the U.S. population within two miles of a hydrogen fueling station. Reaching this goal, he said, probably would cost about $24 billion.

Now, $24 billion is a lot of loot. But for a bit of perspective, consider that the profit of the petroleum industry was $123 billion last year while drivers were paying an average of $3.29 per gallon of gas, according to testimony during a house committee hearing last week.

So, OK, so far, so good. Just as Mr. Burns notes that GM is well along with hydrogen fuel-cell research and development, so is Toyota, though our systems are a bit different from theirs. In fact, you may recall that last fall, a Highlander equipped with this technology drove from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver, Canada, easily traveling more than 300 miles between fill-ups.

We were able to accomplish that trip only because we’d arranged for a portable hydrogen refueling rig, and a tank filled with hydrogen, to accompany us down the Alcan Highway. You can read about that trip by clicking here, and see a video shot during that trip by clicking here.

So Mr. Burns’ call for investment in hydrogen-delivery infrastructure resonates with us. We hope that it resonates with government, and with those in the energy business.

The thing is, we believe that solving the sustainable mobility problem will require much more than a reliance on a single source of energy such as hydrogen fuel cells. We want to be sure that this larger message does not get lost, or overlooked, in the daily clutter of information.

Certainly we think that fuel cells will play an important role. But we also believe that clean diesel has a role to play, so do plug-in hybrids, so do conventional hybrids, and so to do advanced versions of internal-combustion engines.

And that’s the point of the many avenues of research we’re following. As much as we might like to see an effort to build a hydrogen-fuel infrastructure, we believe that sustainable mobility will require much more than reliance on a single source of that mobility. We posted a comprehensive look at our take on sustainable mobility a couple of months back. You can see that post by clicking here.

In any case, we think that Mr. Burns did well to refocus thinking on hydrogen fuel cells as an element of the solution to the overall mobility puzzle. Shining a light on the problem can only help illuminate the path toward a solution.

- Jon F. Thompson, Editor, Open Road

Comments

[J in MN]

Hydrogen is exactly the same as oil: It is a way for a few people to get extremely rich by creating a monopoly industry in the delivery of fuel for transportation.

All the credible evidence points to the fact that manufacturing and consuming hydrogen is much less efficient than using electricity in a BEV - electricity that can be generated in many different ways, even on top of my house. That leaves me with no other conclusion than that hydrogen fueled cars is designed specifically to remove my energy independence, and once again lock me into a limited supply charging unlimited prices.

[pdbw]

"The thing is, we believe that solving the sustainable mobility problem will require much more than a reliance on a single source of energy... We want to be sure that this larger message does not get lost, or overlooked, in the daily clutter of information."

Umm, I don't think it's getting lost. In fact, I'm pretty sure I heard it last year--from a REAL American automaker (http://www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/environment/news/2007/energy-diversity-030607.jsp).

Now, I think it's great you're trying to help the environment. However, I think it's pretty sleazy to paint yourselves with the holier-than-thou paintbrush and imply you're the ONLY automaker with the wisdom to figure out that a single solution won't work.

[Nick]

I'm curious though that you didn't mention all electric propulsion in your article? A common slip, or does Toyota not believe that all-electric is viable? Given that most trips in America are well within battery range, and researchers are making strides in capacity, safety, and charging speed for battery cars, I think Toyota should be making that a major part of their efforts as well. When the car is all electric, the grid takes care of the power...

[CM]

Considering the high cost of hydrogen fuel, the higher cost of H2 storage, and the rediculously high cost of H2 fuel cells, why would anyone but governments and the foolish rich choose it over any of the cheaper options?

In the long run, the plug-ins (EVs and PHEVs) will prove to be the best deal due to very low operating costs. Per mile, driving electric is 1/5 the cost of driving on H2 fuel.

[Luke]

I very much like the idea of electric powered automobiles. I fear some of the comments come primarily from commuter or about town drivers, which suits electric. I sometimes travel greater distances. The question must be answered how to power such excursions from home, those that exceed the battery storage limit.

[Taylor]

Amen! A healthy mix is necessary. However as one other poster pointed out:

"I'm curious though that you didn't mention all electric propulsion in your article?"

Answer the question. Are you moving in the direction of electric as well or are you going to turn your back along with GM and Ford?

[Denny Martin]

I must ask why automakers cannot fit or build their ICE's with the kinds of H2 generators or reactors people in the private sectors are perfecting in the mean while to give us relief from the hellacious gas prices until the H2 infrastructure is in place or even to give us a choice now?

[Rod]

Guy's please remember that very soon the cost of electricity is set to go up 2 to 3 times what it cost now. That could have an affect on on much cheaper it is to drive a electric car. Maybe the electric companies should invest in this technology to cut down the cost of oil that is takes to create electricity. just my two cents.

[Bryan]

The solution seems to be hydrogen/battery hybrids instead of gas/battery hybrids. You get the best of both refueling worlds.

Short 0-300 trip range: battery

Long 300+ trip range: hydrogen