| The importance of developing new methods of | | | | large-scale solution. |
| powering a vehicle is becoming more and more of | | | | Some argue that hydrogen powered vehicles will |
| a focus for manufacturers. Although the research | | | | not have a meaningful impact on gasoline use nor |
| and development of new methods comes at a | | | | on the environment for so long that any money |
| price, the damage being done to the environment | | | | spent on the development of such vehicles will |
| by the established methods is reaching such a | | | | simply divert resources away from more |
| level that it has now become necessary for | | | | immediate solutions. The government has gone to |
| governments to pass legislation penalizing those | | | | the lengths of cutting off funding for the |
| who continue to produce damaging vehicles. Faced | | | | development of hydrogen fuel cells, and as of the |
| with the choice between developing less | | | | present time the number of public vehicles |
| sustainable methods and being fined, and putting | | | | powered in this way in the United States is in the |
| the money in now to ensure a more stable | | | | region of two hundred – most of those being |
| future, it makes sense to move to newer, | | | | in California, where the support for the |
| cleaner methods of vehicle production. | | | | technology, both emotionally and logistically, is at |
| The hydrogen fuel cell is a method that has come | | | | its highest. |
| under some scrutiny in recent times. With some | | | | While none of this means that companies should |
| debate over the feasibility of hybrid and electric | | | | cease research into the production of |
| cars at the present time, not least in terms of | | | | hydrogen-powered vehicles, there is a growing |
| refueling while there are so few enabled service | | | | belief that other methods of powering cars, such |
| stations, hydrogen is seen by some as the savior | | | | as biodiesel, may well be a better bet for the |
| of the motor car. Noted “petrol head” Jay | | | | future. The problem with the hydrogen dream is |
| Leno has said that the hydrogen car may well | | | | that, as yet, it simply is not a technology which is |
| even be the savior of the old cars we know and | | | | ready for mass production, and that alternative, |
| love – by using the cleaner, more efficient | | | | equally clean and even cleaner methods are |
| models such as the Honda Clarity for our | | | | further ahead in their development. While, some |
| day-to-day journeys, we will still be able to enjoy | | | | years down the line, hydrogen fuel cells may well |
| the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and Porsche | | | | be a viable answer to the many problems we |
| Carrera for “weekend driving”. However, | | | | face, companies will need to pick a point to focus |
| there is a growing body of criticism for the | | | | on and follow it through if we are to have cleaner |
| hydrogen-powered car, with some sources | | | | motoring any time soon. As things stand, Honda is |
| arguing that the technology is currently imperfect, | | | | pressing ahead with the Clarity FCX, and if there |
| and perfection so far off that it could be up to | | | | are positive outcomes on that front, things are |
| forty years before we can expect a feasible | | | | still prone to change. |