2 million hydrogen cars possible by 2020; $54 billion in subsidies required; platinum supply, cost are barriers to adoption

A report requested by Congress and prepared by the National Research Council found that the market for hydrogen fuel cell cars is projected to reach 2 million by 2020, but only if technological hurdles are overcome and the US government increases support for the technology by $54 billion over the next 15 years. The price and supply of platinum, which represents 60 percent of the cost of a fuel cell, is a critical factor in expansion of the technology.

Hydrogen background

• In California, the first hydrogen fueling station in the state opened in Los Angeles, near interstate 405 on the west side of the city.

• General Motors VP Larry Burns, addressing the National Hydrogen Association, said that the auto industry had developed hydrogen vehicles, and government and energy companies must develop the infrastructure for fuel distribution.

• In Florida, SeaWorld Orlando announced that it would deploy two new hydrogen-powered shuttle buses.

• Acta stated its belief that a hydrogen fueled transport system is ten years away, not 20 to 30 years.

• Researchers in England announced a process to convert glycerol to hydrogen gas.

• ExxonMobil, QuestAir Technologies and Ben Gurion University said recently that they had completed initial development on a hydrogen production system for fuel cells that would convert biofuels on-board to hydrogen.

• A new process for producing hydrogen from biomass has resulted in a 288 percent net energy gain.

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