Hydrogen is just a storage mechanism for producing -that’s right- electricity. If the hydrogen costs as much to manufacture and distribute as gasoline, why bother switching? For all of the exciting methods that have been developed for manufacturing hydrogen, there’s no way there will be enough hydrogen to go around. Costs for an all hydrogen fueled economy would be no better, if not worse, than a petroleum based economy.

However, a similar issue potentially exists with electricity – what happens when even a fraction fraction of the US goes to electric cars. We should be concurrently working at upgrading our nations electric grid to deliver more power end to end. What is it now?… 1-5% efficient. The power drain and corresponding utility rate increase that could be experienced should not be ignored. Neither should we ignore the reality that hydrogen is an interim solution.

Personally, I’m more inclined to plug my car in at home overnight than have to wait 10 mins or more charging it at a station. Can any of you imagine waiting 10 minutes at a gas station today where you have 4-6 minute fill ups. 10 minutes is an eternity… at least until the technology of capacitors catches up with the electric car. But then why have gas stations at all if I can have a home capacitor (at a reasonable cost) to meet my needs? The petroleum infrastructure (read: gas stations) will suffer as a result of an all electric car. They will no doubt vie for hydrogen as hydrogen distribution will keep them relevant.

Ultimately, gasoline, ethanol (chuckle), hydrogen or any other alternative fuel is just a hiccup on the road to an all electric car/society.