Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle By 2015?

Most auto industry estimates were that a hydrogen-powered vehicle would cost $ 1 million or more. However, Toyota motors has said that they’ll be able to offer a $50,000 MSRP hydrogen car as early as 2015. How is Toyota slashing the price of hydrogen autos to 5% of the original estimate? Even if the car's value does drop that much, does it even make economic sense?

Autos with Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been under research and development for many years. There were many different carmakers that ended up giving up their hydrogen fuel cell automobile programs. In general, hydrogen fuel cell electric autos convert hydrogen to electric power, which drives an engine. Because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum, they tend to be very costly to produce.

Hydrogen automobile by Toyota

By 2015, the Toyota hydrogen automobile should be on the market. While this $50,000 ride would be the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for mass-market sale, it will not be the first HFCV on the road. The Honda FCX Clarity can be leased (not purchased) for $600 a month in the L.A. area. Toyota says their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle may have a range that is comparable to gas engines. The 95% drop in price will come from better manufacturing processes and from reducing the amount of platinum needed by two-thirds.

Hydrogen fuel cell cars for Infrastructure questions

The largest challenge to hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of infrastructure. Most carmakers have decided to invest resources in electric cars for the simple fact that a recharging or refueling infrastructure is much more accessible. Fossil fuel is also what makes hydrogen. Fossil-fuel based upon hydrogen is not the only type of hydrogen available, but it is at the moment the least expensive source. Honda and Toyota are the only carmakers that are continuing research into mass market HFCV's. A hydrogen infrastructure would need to look much like a petroleum fuel infrastructure, with fueling stations around the country.

Sources

Wired.com

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/toyota-50000-fuel-cell-vehicle/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: wired/index (Wired: Index 3 (Top Stories 2))

Edmunds Blog

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/05/toyota-fuel-cell-vehicle-costs-to-fall-95-between-2005-and-2015-executive-says.html