AFFORDABLE HYDROGEN SUPPLY PATHWAYS FOR FUEL-CELL VEHICLES

Fuel cell vehicles can be powered directly by hydrogen stored on the v ehicle, or indirectly by extracting hydrogen from onboard liquid fuels such as methanol or gasoline. The direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle i s preferred, since it would be less complex, have better fuel economy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, greater oil import reductions and wou ld lead to a sustainable transportation system once renewable energy w as used to produce hydrogen. The two oft-cited concerns with direct hy drogen fuel cell vehicles are onboard hydrogen storage and the lack of hydrogen supply options. Directed Technologies, Inc., working with th e Ford Motor Company under a Department of Energy cost shared contract to develop direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, has addressed both per ceived roadblocks to direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We describe r ealistic, cost effective options for both onboard hydrogen storage and for economically viable hydrogen infrastructure development. (C) 1998 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.