Honda, Toyota and GM Pledge To Continue Hydrogen Fuel Cell R&D
Talk about a disconnect.
When the Obama Administration unveiled its proposed 2010 budget last week, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu had penciled in a proposal to cut more than $100 million from Uncle Sam's hydrogen research and development program.
Chu's rationale for cutting hydrogen funding by 59 percent to just $68 million? It's unlikely that the technology will become significant player during the next two decades.
In contrast, the California Fuel Cell Partnership in February predicted that 4,300 fuel-cell electric vehicles could be traveling California roads by 2014, and that the the hydrogen-powered fleet could grow to about 50,000 vehicles by 2017 as more manufacturers introduce their zero emission vehicles.
What's more, the partnership believes that, by 2017, Californians will be able to fuel their Honda FCX Clarity and other fuel cell vehicles at between 50 and 100 hydrogen refueling stations around the state.
'"Fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen stations are at the cusp of transition into the early commercial market," according to the organization's report that is titled "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle and Station Deployment Plan: A Strategy for Meeting the Challenge Ahead."
So it's not surprising that the CaFCP, which counts auto manufacturers (including Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Corp.), energy companies (Shell and Chevron), fuel cell technology companies (Proton Energy Systems) and government agencies (including the DoE, which is a dues-paying member!) on Friday called for Chu to reconsider the proposed budget cut.
"Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have progressed to the point where some automakers are ready to begin early commercialization," said CaFCP Executive Director Catherine Dunwoody. "Stopping federal investment at this point is like a coach pulling back an Olympic athlete who has trained for years, just as the trials begin. We can't wait for the next round. We're ready to go."
Dunwoody also invited President Obama and Chu "to drive one of the 300-plus hydrogen fuel cell vehicles automakers and transit agencies have already placed on the road. We can deliver passenger fuel cell vehicles to their doorsteps in Washington, D.C., and they can fuel at the Shell hydrogen station nearby. LIke the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have driven in these vehicles, their experience will convince them to participate in the final stretch of bringing these clean, fuel-efficient vehicles to market."
Dunwoody added that "we are on our way toward commercially viable zero-emission vehicles that will met Americans' needs for full function, long range vehicles using domestically produced fuel that cuts greenhouse gases by 50% or more."
As for DoE's future participation in partnership activities? "DoE is still an active member participating in technology programs, demonstration projects and outreach," said CaFCP spokesman Roy Kim.
What's more, such partnership members as Honda and Toyota already have told Green Car Advisor that they'll continue their hydrogen vehicle R&D programs. And the Bloomberg news service reports that GM also intends to stay in the hydrogen game even if the Obama Administration guts its hydrogen research budget.
While hydrogen R&D funding is being cut, the Energy Department's proposed 2010 budget boosts biofuel funds by 8.3 percent to $235 million. Funding for advanced battery-powered and gasoline-engine vehicles would swell by 22 percent to $333.3 million. Energy Department officials said they wanted to reduce funding for "less effective programs so we can invest in our economic future."
The Obama Administration telegraphed the proposed cut in March, when an Energy Department official told Congress that sooner or later, the federal government must "pick some winners so to speak and go with our best shot."
Steven Chalk, the DoE's principal deputy assistant secretary focused much of his testimony before the Congressional panel on advanced battery manufacturing and plug-in hybrids. "Making batteries in the United States will facilitate the administration's goal of putting 1 million PHEVs on the road by 2015," Chalk said.
Fuel cell technology involves layers of different materials (including plastic film and precious metals) that are sandwiched together to create a chemical process that generates electricity. Water vapor is the only waste product.
Greg Johnson, Contributor
- Posted by
- Greg Johnson May 11, 2009, 3:13 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Alternative Fuels, Emissions, Fuel Cell, General Motors, Honda, Hydrogen, Legislation, Plug-ins and Electric, Toyota, Transportation Alternatives
- Technorati Tags:
- Fuel Cell, General Motors Corp, Honda FCX Clarity, Hydrogen, Plug In Hybrid, Toyota Motor Co.
It's too bad that the U.S. no longer is a leader in abundant, clean, replenishable energy. We have abandoned our research in next-generation fast-reactor nuclear power plants, which feature passive safety, fuel-recycling and no long-term, high-level waste (no Yucca Mountain!). This approach would provide us with unlimited electricity (and thus hydrogen) for thousands of years. Clean electricity and clean hydrogen to run our cars/trains/buses. Oh well. We'll end up buying this technology (if we can afford it) from some other advanced country. But I'm glad to hear that some of the auto companies are still experimenting with hydrogen in cars. There is still hope.