A study in the latest issue of Science magazine regarding the
viability of hydrogen-powered fuel cells concluded that other options,
such as tightening motor-vehicle fuel economy standards, are far more
cost-effective solutions. The study shows that the cost of replacing
the existing fleet of vehicles with hydrogen-powered fuel cells would be
a “rare, difficult and uncertain venture.”
Authors of the study, David Keith of Carnegie Mellon University
and Alexander Farrell of the University of California at Berkeley,
noted: “Although technically feasible, a hydrogen refueling
infrastructure would be expensive; initial cost would likely exceed
$5,000 per vehicle, even if one assumes large economies of scale.”
Additionally, the authors suggest that biodiesel and other
synfuels could be competitive with hydrogen, using the existing
distribution network.
