“FCVs (Fuel Cell Vehicles) started out over a decade ago as technology that was in its infancy stage, and clearly not ready for prime time,” Joseph Ghanem writes for Seeking Alpha. “A decade later, and it appears the time has come for fuel cell vehicles to reclaim the mantle as the most energy efficient, practical and realistic choice for the zero-emission car-buying consumer.”
“Arguably, the most challenging issue facing Tesla is the further development and prevalence of FCVs in the global automotive industry. Fuel cell vehicles are gaining traction,” Ghanem writes. “And with major auto makers, such as Toyota, Hyundai and Honda starting to invest, it is only a matter of time before the technology becomes mainstream. The existential threat that could derail Tesla is not just smoke and water. The eventual shift from EVs (Electric Vehicles) to hydrogen-powered FCVs is real, and Tesla may be in serious trouble.”
“While fuel cell technology has advanced in recent years, the infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations is currently not where it needs to be for fuel cell vehicles to become mass-market. This issue seems to be the Achilles heel of fuel cell vehicles, as a lack of refueling stations would lead to marginal sales volume. However, major investment into hydrogen fueling networks have begun in California and the Northeastern states. With time and capital, the network of hydrogen refueling stations will continue to grow as fuel cells gain efficiency and popularity,” Ghanem writes. “The difference comes down to practicality and convenience. In the end, the consumer is what drives the market for any new technology. I fully anticipate that once the infrastructure for hydrogen refueling is sufficient FCVs will catch on with car makers and consumers. The advantages FCVs offer over EVs are numerable, and with each passing day fuel cell technology improves.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote over a year ago:
Chemistry and physics have laws that can’t be broken… What if the secret to the “Apple Car” isn’t the battery, but the fuel cell? — MacDailyNews, February 25, 2015
SEE ALSO:
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Apple Car: Forget ‘electric,’ think hydrogen fuel cells – February 20, 2015
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Apple working with Intelligent Energy on fuel cell technology for mobile devices, sources say – July 14, 2014
North Carolina regulators approve Apple’s 4.8-megawatt fuel cell facility at Maiden data center – May 23, 2012
New aerial images of Apple’s planned NC fuel cell, solar farms published – April 7, 2012
Apple’s massive fuel cell energy project to be largest in the U.S. – April 4, 2012
Apple patent application reveals next-gen fuel cell powered Macs and iOS devices – December 22, 2011
Apple patent app details highly-advanced hydrogen fuel cells to power portable devices – October 20, 2011>
