Toyota refutes WSJ fuel cell story
Recently the Wall Street Journal published a story claiming that General Motors and Toyota were both backing off on their fuel cell development efforts. It appears that in spite of quotes from GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz and Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe, fuel cells are still seen as the long term solution for on-board energy generation. Toyota communications boss Irv Miller has a new entry on the Open Road blog that corresponds with what Jaycie Chitwood and Bob Carter told ABG last month in Chicago. Toyota is still committed to the technology and has demonstrated the functionality. Their efforts now are focused on cost reduction. The other major issue - one that is outside of Toyota or GM's scope of responsibility - is the fueling infrastructure. It appears likely from what we've heard from multiple companies that widespread hydrogen availability won't happen first in the U.S. Places like China and Norway seem much more interested in making H2 a reality and will probably lead the way. Until that happens Toyota, GM, Ford, Daimler and other will press ahead on the vehicle side of the equation so that they are ready to go when the pumps are.
[Source: Toyota]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 5:20PM (3/08/2008)
Just two stories down is about Ultra-Capacitors. Plus the new breakthroughs coming in battery tech. By the time they've got hydrogen vehicles ready to go, we won't need them. Plus hydrogen is less efficient the electric vehicles.
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Tim 5:46PM (3/08/2008)
Whatever kind of "batteries" they use, Electricity will power our transportation. Batteries now and [maybe] H2 in the far future when the laws of physics no longer apply. ;)
So, why aren't our cars flying ,why am I STILL using paper and when can I schedule that vacation on the Moon?
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TX CHL Instructor 8:06AM (3/09/2008)
"...fuel cells are still seen as the long term solution for on-board energy generation."
Not without government coercion. Hydrogen is the perfect fuel for people who can freely spend other people's money.
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