Indulgently Sexy and Good For You Too
It would be easier to enumerate automakers that aren't experimenting with fuel cell powered vehicles than those that are. Ford and Toyota, for instance, are predicting that half of their cars could be powered by hydrogen fuel cells by 2050. Scott Staley, Ford's fuel cell manager, expects hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road by 2020 and believes they'll make up 40 percent of Ford's sales by 2050.
 |
| The Toyota FINE-S shown here at its January 7th, 2003 debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Meanwhile, there is a spirited debate raging from several sides about the true viability of fuel cells due to widespread barriers, such as infrastructure and hydrogen fuel sourcing. Infrastructure and hydrogen fuel sources aside, auto manufacturers continue to create concepts and prototypes that teach necessary lessons about the technology involved and potential customer acceptance of hydrogen powered transportation.
 |
| An example of Toyota's ongoing environmental commitment, the FINE-S concept showcased a hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid-electric powertrain. (Photo: Toyota) |
Toyota's success with one near-term solution, the gasoline-electric hybrid Toyota Prius, has been extraordinary. Not willing merely to bask in the limelight the Japanese brand unveiled another type of hybrid at this year's Detroit Auto Show in January. This time, rather than gasoline power, the FINE-S concept showcased a hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid-electric powertrain - potentially a formidable challenger in the race to a hydrogen economy.