In the background of the barrage of publicity and significant wads of government cash being pushed in the general direction of electric vehicles, lurks a technology whose genesis has been around for a considerable time, but generates vastly less column inches.
Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is being actively pursued by a number of major OEMs as an alternative to when oil finally – and it will – does run out.
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GM at its Development Centre in Mainz-Kastel near Frankfurt likens this to a ‘candle in the night’ ie, one that is slowly extinguishing and despite hearing that message for some time, it seems governments – well some at least – are finally waking up to the reality.
That and oil touching US$147 a barrel last year.
Just why EVs and their attendant battery technology are receiving so much lavish attention – while hydrogen research goes on quietly in the background – is something of a mystery.
For sure, EVs have created a storm of interest, possibly the most since scrappage incentive schemes were announced a couple of years ago, that and the fact they are creating real jobs, for example Nissan’s Leaf in Sunderland, but is hydrogen the long-term, long-range future?
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By GlobalDataFor pootling about town, where there is no range anxiety or worry about recharging, then the pure EV is a hit. But take it any further with a heavy load and all the heating/lighting/air conditioning accoutrements and it becomes a different story.
And if hydrogen can be generated from exclusively renewable sources – an unlikely if attractive scenario – then what’s not to admire? As GM manager fuel cell hydrogen deployment strategy Europe Lars Peter Thiesen put it this week in Mainz: “When you don’t put carbon in, there is nothing coming out.”
He listed three other seeming no-brainers that could make consumers think again about hydrogen, namely long-range driving, all-time zero emissions and fast refuelling at around three minutes.
That’s not to say GM isn’t actively engaged in EV technology of course. The Ampera extended range model will give 60km of pure electric drive followed by an additional 500km of extra mileage – Thiesen insists simply putting in a larger battery won’t overcome range disadvantages which is why he says GM focuses so heavily on extended range.
But GM poses a wider question about the development of hydrogen technology – while recognising current restraints such as initial expense and the availability of retail refueling stations.
Should there be a European and indeed global hydrogen consensus developed – and the manufacturer is optimistic this will happen – there are greater, societal questions that the new fuel could well address, particularly its sourcing.
The public may initially have an innate suspicion of hydrogen – just what is it? – although they seem happy to sit on 60L of gasoline going to work every morning – but its provenance and generation might be the only real long-term, day-to-day mobility solution.
The candle in the night is burning and hydrogen seems to offer an alternative. But it needs significant support from governments on a global level however, not just the dedicated few.
There’s been talk of a possible 2015 commercialisation date, which seems on the optimistic side. But at least GM and its friends are actively making a start.
