[Hector Mildew]

Originally Posted by R.O.R

I actually meant to transport around in the car itself. Rather than the huge number of batteries required to get a decent range, a hydrogen fuel cell is only about the same size as a normal fuel tank (that's my understanding, but I'm open to correction). I now know that you also require batteries as a buffer between the hydrogen and to power the car, but surely not in any number near a pure electric car?

It’s hard to find info about fuel cell weight/ performance. I read somewhere that Honda have reduced the weight of their latest fuel cell by nearly 200kg, but the article didn’t give the final weight...


They look to be about the same size as an ICE:




I think buffer battery size would be dependant on motor demand and the generation capacity of the cell.

It looks like future fuel cells will use Nano technology to improve efficiency (while minimising the amount of Platinum and Palladium catalyst required). The same technology is being used to improve Li-ion battery design for pure EVs [edit - pajo1981 got there before me, and more detail, in the previous post ] - hopefully competition will accelerate development and improvement of both leading to truly practical ICE alternatives.

[old_aussie]

This could be a better option(in the future)

Sure to piss off the oil producers.

http://www.flixxy.com/gm-hy-wire-concept-car.htm

[kleefarr]

Yeah, hydrogen is the way to go in my opinion.
Honda are way ahead in this department. Although that GM car looks much more adaptable. Cool.

[grafter12]

This could be a better option(in the future)

Sure to piss off the oil producers.

http://www.flixxy.com/gm-hy-wire-concept-car.htm

I saw that concept on a programme back in the late 80's called Tomorrow's World and thought it was a cool idea back then. I always wondered what happend to the idea and it's good to see they have been working away on it since then.

[kleefarr]

Great programme that was.