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> Toyota sees the future not in electric cars but in hydrogen fuel cells. Aren't the fuel cells just an alternative to batteries for storing electricity in an

• Cshelton 10y ago
  Hydrogen fuel cells are used as a way to generate clean electricity, which then is used to recharge the battery whenever it is needed. Basically eliminating "range fears" to some extent. However I think this period of using fuel cells will be short lived. <10 years. But they will be everywhere in the mean time. 10 years from now I see batteries with capitcities of 4x greater than we have today with at least 2x recharging time. So an EV could go 1,200 miles on a single charge, and recharge fully in roughly an hour or two. That would instantly make all fuel cells pointless
  • LeifCarrotson 10y ago
    I am not as optimistic as you that 4x improvements are possible, but I certainly hope you're right! We'll also need major improvements in electricity generation and distribution. To charge a battery of ~300 kWh in roughly an hour, even over an industrial supply like three-phase 480V AC, would require in excess of 600 amps! That's more than three times the maximum current a large, modern house can draw at 240V, and requires conductors over 1000 kcmil, or more than 1" diameter copper. On an ordinary 15A, 120 VAC circuit, it would take an entire week to charge the car. That might make fuel cells attractive. Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of tapes, and never underestimate the energy transmission potential of a supertanker or freight train full of oil or hydrogen.