Frankfurt 2009: all plugs and hybrids, no hydrogen
Audi e-tron concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery
It's probable that, somewhere in the Frankfurt Messe this week, there are hydrogen-powered concept vehicles. From the headlines, though, it's clear that the world's automakers showing off their wares at the Frankfurt Motors Show are taking some time off from promoting the hydrogen fuel cell car and are putting all of their energy into the idea of a car with a plug. Even Audi, where an executive recently called electric cars "idiotic," made a big splash with their overwhelming e-tron concept. Perhaps we'll see more H2 cars when the auto show season moves back to the U.S., but for now, the lack of fuel cell concepts and the tiny scraps thrown to biofuels are really, really obvious. Just saying.
In any case, if you're headed to Frankfurt and want to print out a list of which plug-in and hybrid cars are where, you can get a PDF listing the cars from Drive Solar.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mel 8:22PM (9/15/2009)
can we put this to rest already, he called the >>chevy volt
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Mel 8:30PM (9/15/2009)
a car for Idiots. I think we all agree that thats an EREV so the statement doesn't apply to electric cars. And the rest of the statement was hardly dissing EV's either. Repeating it endlessly doesn't change the facts.
ps: damn system ate most of my comment
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Dave 10:42PM (9/15/2009)
According to Autoblog, it was the Audi of America president who called the Volt a car for idiots.
In Germany, where diesel costs more than $6 per gallon (correct me if I'm wrong, I did a quick google search), the story could be a whole lot different.
Tohe 8:38PM (9/15/2009)
I'm not surprised at all. The White House sat down with domestic and foreign automakers alike. The automakers were not only given a new emissions standard, but a vision and a commitment to move away from oil and by proxy hydrogen. Automakers will ultimately make the cars we want to buy and they understand we will not fall for the hydrogen hoax, it is as much a waste of time and resources for them as it is for us. The stunning E-Tron is exactly the car I'd want.
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Dave 10:32PM (9/15/2009)
"I'm not surprised at all. The White House sat down with domestic and foreign automakers alike."
You do realize that Frankfurt is in Germany, right?
Tohe 11:07PM (9/15/2009)
Ja, as I'm sure you realize these Automakers would possibly want to profit beyond Berlin.
Tohe 11:08PM (9/15/2009)
Arg .. I meant Frankfurt!
Serge 11:04AM (9/16/2009)
Another factor for proliferation of plug-ins at the FMS is the fact that Europe has passed a plug standard in May (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/20/the-european-standard-charging-plug-for-cars-is-selected-after-m/), clearing the way for massive deployment of recharge infrastructure.
The reality is that it's a lot cheaper to deploy electric recharge stations than infrastructure. Additionally, recharge stations are a business opportunity for parking garages, malls, restaurants, etc. With one common plug, the last hurdle for electric infrastructure (in Europe) has been cleared. I hope we finalize J1772 in U.S. soon.
Serge 11:06AM (9/16/2009)
"The reality is that it's a lot cheaper to deploy electric recharge stations than *hydrogen* infrastructure"
Dave 11:22AM (9/16/2009)
"The reality is that it's a lot cheaper to deploy electric recharge stations than *hydrogen* infrastructure" - Serge
Yes. And with European gas/diesel prices, the high cost of a plug in hybrid such as the Volt may actually pay for itself.
Especially in a country like France that gets 80% of its electricity from nukes. (Germany appears to use coal for the most part - http://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/p/pow-gen-ger.htm)
Even if hydrogen technology becomes affordable, it could be relegated to range extender status.
Doug 8:48PM (9/15/2009)
Haha... ok at this point you guys are bating these HFCV versus EV debates because they generate a lot of comments. I think we can put it to bed for the moment.
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Sebastian 10:02PM (9/15/2009)
Sure, I like to see people make their case in the comments. But this topic is also something that really stuck out at me while I was reading all the news today, and thought it was worth bringing up. I'm not forcing anyone to comment, that's for sure.
Doug 3:38AM (9/16/2009)
Fair enough, you make a valid observation...
Just feels like that whole hydrogen debate has been beaten to death in the past couple weeks.
David 6:57AM (9/16/2009)
Reading the news or reading the thread on TMC? :-p
Serge 10:31AM (9/16/2009)
ABG operates on a "24 hour news cycle". Sensationalism always "sells."
On another note, as Mr. Blanco noted, hydrogen fans need not worry. The plug-in fad will soon fade and Toyota, that stalwart automotive leader (who knows about such matters better than y'all), will shock everyone in automotive industry. My guess is at Frankfurt 2014.
polo 8:54PM (9/15/2009)
The only reason hydrogen still exists is because rich old white people still think hydrogen cars are the next big thing and the tech compliments their portfolios in the oil markets. In a few years one day they walk out of Neiman Sachs and see an EV plugged in by the store and suddenly realize they're behind the curve, and promptly pull their money out of any auto company still pushing the hydrogen hoax. Until then we'll keep HEARING about hydrogen and SEEING evs.
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Scorch 1:10AM (9/16/2009)
Blast! Your astute detective work and superb deductive reasoning skills have uncovered yet another White Person conspiracy! If it weren't for us people would have stopped using oil decades ago! You may have thwarted our hydrogen agenda but we will be back...
cWj 1:50AM (9/16/2009)
heehee.
white people like mayonnaise.
paulwesterberg 8:56PM (9/15/2009)
New pie in the sky hydrogen vehicles wouldn't fly in Frankfurt where well educated and highly competent Europeans would not be impressed. I don't think shell and exxon will be as easily persuaded to give up the US market.
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DasBoese 9:23PM (9/15/2009)
Europe, particularly Germany, does have its fair share of uneducated and incompetent people, and I assure you the hydrogen hoax is alive and kicking over here.
The hydrogen lobby here is just as big as the USA's, just not as loud.