Hydrogen and the automobile

Though the fuel could emerge as the primary energy source for nonpolluting passenger vehicles, massive infrastructure development is needed in the U.S. to support the hydrogen economy of the future.

The hydrogen economy is being touted as the answer to the transportation sector's dependence on polluting and finite fuels. An almost infinitely abundant energy source with well-understood properties, hydrogen could emerge as the primary fuel source for nonpolluting fuel-cell vehicles. The gas offers benefits from an emissions standpoint when used in conventional combustion engines as well.

Hydrogen's potential is vast, but it will not be realized until fundamental infrastructure issues are addressed. The hydrogen economy will not happen until reliable, cost-effective methods are identified in three basic yet essential areas: production, distribution/delivery, and storage. Some infrastructure necessary to support the dream of a hydrogen future does exist, but it is far from being sufficient to support even a transition to this fuel. Extensive research and development has been carried out by companies on storage, but break-throughs have yet to appear. Large-scale and economical production remains a significant bottleneck, although innovative alternatives have been suggested. However, some of these alternatives involve additional tradeoffs that the buying public may not be willing to accept.