The discussion centers on the feasibility of using hydrogen as an alternative energy source compared to directly using electricity for powering electric vehicles. Participants highlight that hydrogen, while having a high energy density, poses significant challenges in storage and transportation due to the need for high-pressure tanks. The conversation also notes that current hydrogen production methods, primarily through natural gas extraction, undermine its environmental benefits. Additionally, the efficiency loss in using hydrogen as an intermediary fuel raises questions about its practicality compared to direct electric vehicle usage.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for energy researchers, automotive engineers, environmental scientists, and policymakers interested in alternative fuel technologies and their implications for sustainable transportation.
NTL2009 said:ooops, are we too far away from the original topic (hydrogen)?
How is that hybrids require any more range? How do they obtain any cost effective benefit from an increase beyond the current ~400 miles/tank of gas, which btw can be replenished in 4 minutes at any of a couple hundred thousand US filling stations?Algr said:Plug in hybrids and pure electrics benefit because range is extended on the highway, where it matters most.
mheslep said:How is that hybrids require any more range? How do they obtain any cost effective benefit from an increase
Not in this case. Yes, US electricity at 12¢/kWh or 4¢/EV-mile on the existing residence connected grid fed to an existing plug-in via cables is cheaper than gas per distance traveled (5¢/mile @40 mpg/$2/gallon). The cost of electrifying highways, adding induction loops to new plug-ins,and the losses of induction very probably make the total cost of highway electricity higher than gasoline. And so again, to what benefit, for the 5% or so of driving that's long distance?Algr said:Because it costs less to run a hybrid from electricity than gas.
I'm familiar.Read up on the first coast-to-coast trip by car,
That's not the history of the 1950s built highway system in the US, which was built for i) national defense reasons, and from ii) localized support for highway funding that stood to benefit from passing highway traffic.and how hopelessly impractical it was compared to the trains that were available. No one looked at that and said cars are hopeless stick with trains. Instead we saw opportunities and build a highways system. That's how change happens.
Since you brought the idea of electrified lanes, why don't you start a new thread on the matter so that we can discuss about it more broadly and freely.Algr said:Could be. A new topic should start with some hard data though. Electrifying the highways is a small project compared to getting the highways build in the first place.