Re: [OT] Fuel Cells was: Space Programs

I neglected to mention another huge holdup: The price of building an 
infrastructure capable of refueling fuel cell cars is expected to cost 
between $500,000 and $1 million per station, with the current
technology.

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Kevin Balentine" <kevinbalentine@mail.ev1.net>
Reply-To: gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu
Date: Tue,  4 Feb 2003 11:23:29 -0600

>Bush's program has two major parts:
>The FreedomCAR program was launched in early 2002. It's goal is to 
>develop vehicle technologies, one of which is fuel cells. The program
is a 
>joint effort between the Big 3, suppliers and others and replaced
Clinton's 
>Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. Karl, the Big 3 includes 
>DaimlerChrysler (along with GM and Ford), so yes, they would be
involved 
in 
>this.
>
>Bush wants to add FreedomFUEL, a companion program pushing hydrogen 
>fuel research (production, distribution and storage issues).
>
>GM is already spending $100 million a year on this and will begin
testing a 
>fleet of 100 fuel cell-equipped Opel Zafira vans in Japan in June. I
think 
>FedEx will be using the vehicles.
>
>The Honda program mentioned by Ryan will lease about 30 Honda FCX fuel 
>cell cars to public entities in Los Angeles and Japan.
>
>The big holdup right now is the cost in precious metals, especially 
platinum. 
>Masashi Arita from Nissan says it takes 80 to 100 grams of platinum to 
>make a fuel cell with the power output of 100 horsepower.
>
>>And has the Bush administration suddenly become environmentally
>>friendly ? Or have the big car maker started to holler for subsidies ?
>
>I can't comment on the political machinations of the Bush
administration. 
>I've never found them to be overtly "friendly" to the environment. But
the 
>big car makers always holler for subsidies. Of all types. Hey, if it
can help 
>make fuel cells a reality, I won't complain.
>
>Kevin Balentine
>Automotive Writer
>The Dallas Morning News
>
>---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
>From: KH.Ranitzsch@t-online.de
>Reply-To: gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu
>Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 17:18:49 +0100 (CET)
>
>>Ryan Gill schrieb:
>>> At 3:43 PM +0100 2/4/03, KH.Ranitzsch@t-online.de wrote:
>>> >I just wonder what the State of the Union Address has to
>>> do with fuel
>>> >cells ?
>>> 
>>> Bush stated that he wants to put federal money to
>>> encouraging auto-makers to come up with fuel cell cars sooner. I
>>> wonder if Honda will get money for the FCX (hydrogen Fuel Cell auto)
>>they
>>> just put on the market in California for fleets. Its first one out
>>> there.
>>
>>Only to American manufacturers ? And will Daimler-Chrysler count as
>>such ? They have been test-driving fuel-cell vehicles (Small A-class
>>Mercedes) across the US for some time.
>>http://www.fleet.chrysler.com/afv_news_details_1.jsp
>>
>>And has the Bush administration suddenly become environmentally
>>friendly ? Or have the big car maker started to holler for subsidies ?
>>
>>Greetings
>>Karl Heinz
>>
>