The problem with the Hydrogen fuel cells in the new cars is that they require a Platinum catalyst to most efficiently set off the reaction... And Platinum is not a cheap metal.

Ah, but for how long? Another 40 years at the rate the world is going and all the oil will be *poof*, gone.

[ 04-23-2005, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: Dadams1 ]

Indeed.

How is that any more of a problem then the Platinum catalyst used in catalytic converters?

Because it requires A LOT of Platinum, which makes the cars all about $50,000 more expensive.

Expensive metals... you gotta love 'em. Your car goes bling bling internally. :D

That's the way it is. I just hate the monopoly oil companies have... argh.

[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] That just made me choke on my drink, thanks :D

Bring on transporters, that what I say... [img]smile.gif[/img]

I a sense, yes, the monopolies are bad. But one good thing comes from the monopolies: they tend to work together to drive up oil prices for more profit. The profit part - not so good. The oil prices high part - excellent. Maybe not for those of us who have to pay $2.45 a gallon (if you live in the US), but in the long run it can only do good for the world by encouraging technological developments and creating a better mindset for global resource conservation.

Fuel cells do use platinum (along with some other precious metals) but not that much, amounts required for a fuel cell capable of powering a car are worth perhaps a hundred dollars or maybe a couple hundred... not tens of thousands.