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J. Clarke[_4_]

In article ,
says...

"J. Clarke" wrote in
:

So what specific problems do you know of with the Honda FCX Clarity,
Hundai ix35, and the Toyota Mirai, other than limited fuel
distribution and high manufacturing cost?

Well, obviously those are the two big ones - there are
something like 10 or 15 hydrogen refueling stations in
California, and 14000 gas stations, so building a comparable
distribution infrastructure is a huge obstacle.

And, manufacturing cost is a chicken and egg thing - now
it is very high (Toyota looses $100,000 on every one
they build), and while the expectation is that if
they're built in large volumes cost will come down, it's
questionable if anyone will be willing to take the losses
while building the volume.

Those are the two reasons why I say they should be
introduced in a captive market like the post office.
You immediately get a substantial volume (since all
post office trucks are the same), and you don't need
much refueling infrastructure.

The third thing hanging over the head of fuel cell
vehicles is efficiency. End-to-end (i.e. including
the cost of making the hydrogen) they are substantially
less efficient than plug-in electrics. If recharging
stations continue to appear at the rate they have been,
electic cars will capture the market before fuel-cell
has a chance.

Recharging stations do it. They're fine for someone commuting but there
are too many other cases where the short range and long charge time
don't work out.

People don't want to be pinned within a 40 mile radius of their house.