Commercialization of fuel cells for transportation relate to making vehicle
fuel cells cost competitive. Challenges are low-cost infrastructure, range, and
power density. Cost reduction, component integration, complexity reduction, and
increasing safety are needed.
Innovative changes in vehicle design and
materials to reduce vehicle weight and improve aerodynamics will benefit fuel
cell vehicles as well as conventional vehicles. The use of platinum is a central
issue. Platinum is used in the core of the PEM fuel cell that is used for
transport. The price of the core has to be drastically reduced for fuel cell
vehicles to be viable.
A unique and integrated fuel cell power system is aimed
directly at low output applications where smaller internal combustion engines
(ICE) and batteries are the power source. These include personal transport and
fleet type vehicles used in closed range environments (airports, amusement
parks, golf courses, malls, delivery circuits).
Two and three wheeled scooters
represent a target market. Stationary, marine and portable power applications
are a target market. Hybrid and personal power represent the most likely avenue
for fuel cell vehicular development. People will begin to own more than one
vehicle. The personal vehicle will provide for moving around a local region,
back and forth to work and around town to activities and stores.
These
personal vehicles will be very comfortable with music and good seating. The will
be good for fuel cells because they will be small and suitable for one or two
people at the most. Not much power is needed as the speeds are slow and the
pickup not demanding. Major issues affecting the commercialization of hydrogen
fuel cell automobiles are the cost of the fuel, building of requisite fueling
infrastructure, and vehicle range. Range is limited to on-board storage ability.
A
hydrogen economy is a challenge that transcends the ability of industry and
depends on governments to deliver necessary infrastructure. The capacity of the
individual major stakeholders is limited to providing components of the fuel
cell and hydrogen economy.
Governments exist to create infrastructure that is
useful to the culture sustained within national borders. There are significant
infrastructure investments that need to be made to make fuel cells a reality.
These are the task of government. Table 3- illustrates fuel cell infrastructure
investment needed.
The cost of new infrastructure for fuel cell refueling
raises from $2 billion per year initially to $21 billion per year by 2010. This
cost will likely be borne by governments as well as private industry. Market
growth depends on $5 billion infrastructure investment in local hydrogen
manufacture for fuel cells.
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