By 2015, Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle?

Most vehicle 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? How will the hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle make economic sense even if the price does drop that much?

Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles on the go

For many years, Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been under research. There were many different carmakers that ended up giving up their hydrogen fuel cell car programs. Hydrogen fuel cell electric automobiles convert hydrogen to electric power. It is expensive to make because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum.

Toyota’s Hydrogen car

The vehicle 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. The Honda FCX Clarity can be only leased for $600 a month in LA. Toyota says their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can have a range that is similar to gas engines. The 95% drop in price will come from better mass-manufacturing processes and reducing the amount of platinum needed by two-thirds.

Hydrogen fuel cell automobiles for Infrastructure questions

The lack of infrastructure is the largest challenge to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Most carmakers have decided to invest resources in electric automobiles 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 expensive way of getting hydrogen although you will find other ways. Honda and Toyota 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