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Japan takes the lead in hydrogen-fueled cars

UPI Asia -- Tokyo, Japan — In the wake of last year's soaring crude oil prices, coupled with a growing environmental awareness, the development of alternative energy sources is moving into high gear. Among next-generation energy sources, hydrogen is proving to be a favorite.

Japan started selling the world's first household hydrogen fuel cell this year, and stands on the verge of selling fuel-cell vehicles. But there are still difficult challenges involving the manufacturing, storing and transporting of hydrogen. For these reasons, some experts say the advent of the hydrogen economy might be a pipedream.

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Submitted Nov 20, 2009 By: GM

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Naturenut99 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:770 Points:142,300 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2009 1:25:48 PM Ignore Naturenut99 Report Abuse I believe the big point of this article should be (along with the headline)... "By the time FCVs are commercially available in 2015 they will be cheaper than a Rolls-Royce, but it will be difficult to price them down to the level of a Corolla,” said Kenichiro Ota, a professor at Yokohama National University. A Rolls-Royce costs around US$550,000 and a Corolla $22,000." Should be cheaper than a Rolls-Royce by 2015. EV's / PHEV's cost 10 times LESS than that NOW. Give EV's / PHEV's more time and they will be cheaper still. The only reason they are still trying for FCV's is for there to be something for the oil co's to sell.
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,266 Points:629,815 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:09:25 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse Still a very expensive option - that may or may not be commercially viable in the future.
adr47 Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:2,221 Points:502,820 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 1:50:57 PM Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Japan is ahead because North America has got used to cheap oil and is still in denial
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:10,514 Points:2,106,695 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 11:41:24 AM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Good for them....and to mreiff this is likely out of necessity. Gas is what maybe $2.70/gal US in your area...here in Toronto Ont. the price has been pretty stable at $4.45+ /gal Cdn...much higher than warranted. UK is traditionally about double ie. they pay in pounds what we Cdns pay in $'s. Japan likely pays more than that again. I know mid-2008 it was 133 yen/L after a big drop. If still the same, this is $1.52 USD/L (according to Yahoo currency converter) which is $6.90/gal. Paying 2.5 times what you are for a commodity is a strong motivator to find an alternative.
mreiff Champion Author Louisville Posts:1,476 Points:331,325 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 11:11:37 AM Ignore mreiff Report Abuse As usual, Japan leads the US in technology and engineering.
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:2,822 Points:1,096,650 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 11:11:07 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Pressurized hydrogen? And I thought driving in vehicles with gasoline was dangerous. Now we are going to have 4 wheeled Hindenburgs all over the highways.
Cerberus2k Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,028 Points:617,585 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 11:07:07 AM Ignore Cerberus2k Report Abuse Japan is the tech capital of the world.
Patch44 Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,613 Points:871,060 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 11:01:51 AM Ignore Patch44 Report Abuse It's still better than OPEC terroist oil.
yclookout Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,918 Points:368,375 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 11:01:40 AM Ignore yclookout Report Abuse Hydrogen is SAFE, the uninformed who keep crying Hindenburg have no idea what they are talking about! The massive fire that destroyed the Hindenburg was the burning aluminum paint on the envelope, NOT the hydrogen. Powered metals are used in fireworks. Hydrogen is difficult to ignite, and even if there were to be a fire, the actual flame would be several feet above the fuel tank.
THEDodgeman Champion Author Denver Posts:2,891 Points:934,925 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:53:14 AM Ignore THEDodgeman Report Abuse GO JAPAN...I posted this would happen..American auto makers always behind the 8 ball. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE ALL GOING BROKE HERE.
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,880 Points:597,260 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:51:44 AM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse Screw the so called experts
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,635 Points:614,120 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:49:58 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse Sure seems to have lots of difficult storage problems. Probably ought to be crash proof also.
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:3,554 Points:738,235 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:46:21 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse Filling up with compressed hydrogen at a station is a scary thought. One small leak + one small spark and 'Hindenburg'!
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,549 Points:1,608,470 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:45:03 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Hydrogen is the way to go, but we have to perfect the ability to store without leaking out. We need to continue the research and development as hydrogen is cheap its all around us...
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:6,671 Points:1,237,895 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:44:53 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse Japan has a totally different mindset thsn the US... they do not have large numbers of people driving around at high speeds in 4x4 crew cab pickups with only the driver and nothing in the truck bed, or soccer moms in SUVs... no one in Japan is squalling about their right to be wasteful... the Japanese people and the government recognize the importance of getting free of imported oil, unlike the "free" US, who cling to oil. Small wonder that Japan is taking the lead and the US is falling behind on alternative energy research.
USAFA82 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:4,692 Points:842,170 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:44:42 AM Ignore USAFA82 Report Abuse Sound promising.
squeakyUT All-Star Author Salt Lake City Posts:874 Points:244,520 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:40:08 AM Ignore squeakyUT Report Abuse We have lost that competitive edge to other countries. The only thing we lead in is ripping the public off and Wall Street salaries.
gabbygusIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,180 Points:557,725 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:37:01 AM Ignore gabbygusIN Report Abuse Go Japan! When are we going to be the 1st anything??
EricON Veteran Author Ontario Posts:298 Points:197,320 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:33:03 AM Ignore EricON Report Abuse hydrogen will be a reality as soon as our quest for cheap fossil fuels runs out
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,503 Points:1,607,495 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:31:46 AM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse Do we take the lead in anything any more?
yukonjack Champion Author Georgia Posts:4,224 Points:1,112,195 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:30:10 AM Ignore yukonjack Report Abuse If they figure out how to extract hydrogen from air on the fly, then there would be no need for hydrogen filling stations. That would probably take a pretty big piece of equipment though, but if not, then the faster you go, the more hydrogen you can suck in and use. Fantasy, I know. But who knows.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,106 Points:1,195,665 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:30:07 AM Ignore Helms Report Abuse Go Japan go!! Save us because we can;t stand any more of nobama's "help"
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,734 Points:587,740 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:29:57 AM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse Many expert believe that hydrogen will be the energy of the future. It is abundant, safe when handled correctly and will eventually be relatively inexpensive. Where are the Americans in this emerging technology. We already use it for space flights!
TeachR06 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:3,535 Points:1,009,660 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:29:06 AM Ignore TeachR06 Report Abuse Keep up the alternative research. That's the only way to go.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,747 Points:479,260 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:28:45 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse Japan has lead in new technology for quite a while.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,974 Points:1,599,520 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:27:44 AM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse When will the US wakw up and do something to help out with the high oil prices?
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:3,624 Points:611,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:27:37 AM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Natural gas please.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,416 Points:618,880 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:27:22 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Hydrogen is the way to go. We need more research into it and get the auto manufacturers on board
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,741 Points:591,520 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:27:21 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Right now Hydrogen is not practical because there is NO hydrogen stations
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:1,478 Points:307,290 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:26:35 AM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse We need to wake up and join Japan in this.
Bou Champion Author Maine Posts:6,151 Points:1,667,040 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:24:38 AM Ignore Bou Report Abuse Sounds promising, but why can't we burn it as alternative to gas?
granma3xnow Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,998 Points:410,675 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:22:35 AM Ignore granma3xnow Report Abuse When I hear "hydrogen" I think BOMB. Makes me nervous.
Sam195 Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,020 Points:579,750 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:21:44 AM Ignore Sam195 Report Abuse Hydrogen is better than oil.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,510 Points:507,750 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:20:16 AM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse Filling your car up with hyrdrogen sounds riskier than gasoline. How expensive will it be to outfit current gas stations with the equipment necessary to fill your car with it?
Jarol Champion Author Iowa Posts:3,156 Points:576,460 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:18:52 AM Ignore Jarol Report Abuse I hope they have a technical breakthrough.
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:18:24 AM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse US's only hope in hydrogen-fueled cars will come from Ford if any company is going to compete with Japan.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,878 Points:2,140,565 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:18:23 AM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Go hydrogen, GO!!!!!!!!!!
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,748 Points:1,371,035 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:15:54 AM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse This seems like the best technology to me...
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,919 Points:644,340 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:15:51 AM Ignore CISA Report Abuse let them lose money for the market development -- much like the pioneers took the first arrows.
BeaverBilly Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,784 Points:1,537,110 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:15:01 AM Ignore BeaverBilly Report Abuse Japan is #1 in Electronics, Honda's, and Toyota's. Now watch out for alternative energy.
murdershewrote Champion Author Riverside Posts:4,442 Points:1,594,910 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:14:18 AM Ignore murdershewrote Report Abuse japan is passing us by again
qmyster All-Star Author Denver Posts:570 Points:166,540 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:14:04 AM Ignore qmyster Report Abuse Go Japan.
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:2,475 Points:554,725 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:10:01 AM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse Any alternative to fossil fuel is a step in the right direction. Imagine if we had considered electricity, telephone, television, computer, automobile, internet,etc. all as pipe dreams, where would we be today?
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,927 Points:1,462,965 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:08:40 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Hope they can make it a reality...but doubt it!
148366 Champion Author Spokane Posts:3,646 Points:1,010,100 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:08:35 AM Ignore 148366 Report Abuse It is the challenges that have to be over come that are the problem.
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:1,814 Points:518,825 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:06:08 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse I agree that it looks more like a pipe dream.
tazdriver Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,892 Points:1,152,250 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:06:00 AM Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse Hydrogen needs lots of research and proving to overcome a host of problems but overall has great potential
sleepyt Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,250 Points:391,040 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:05:24 AM Ignore sleepyt Report Abuse The only problem I have with what you wrote, Bikechuck, is that you have one basic fact wrong. The vast majority of the deficit spending wasn't done by Obama or the Democratic Congress. It was done by the Bush Administration (W.) and a Republican controlled Congress. Other than failing to assign the blame properly, the effects are correctly described.
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:2,885 Points:613,430 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:05:06 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse I hope it does not go the way Zeppelins went... down in fumes!
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,866 Points:1,019,910 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 10:04:30 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Seems like the Japan is always well ahead on Technology.