Hydrogen as an Alternative Automotive Fuel

The technical feasibility of replacing petroleum-based fuels with hydrogen is established, considering production, distribution, onboard storage and suitability as a fuel in internal combustion engine and fuel cell-powered electric vehicles. The feasible hydrogen/vehicle systems are compared with other synthetic fuel/vehicle options and with battery-powered EV's. On the basis of primary resource energy consumption and compatibility with existing infrastructure, the hydrogen ICE vehicles rank last. Although hydrogen fuel cells are attractive, they are not a near term commercial prospect. Therefore it is concluded that hydrogen will not be used as an automotive fuel in this century.