Digest

The Verge Cast delves into the world of hydrogen fuel cell cars, tracing their history back to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's ambitious "hydrogen highway" plan in 2004. Host David Pierce embarks on a road trip across California in a Toyota Mirai, experiencing firsthand the current state of hydrogen infrastructure and the challenges faced by drivers. The episode explores the reasons behind the decline of hydrogen cars, including the difficulties of building a widespread hydrogen network and the rise of battery electric vehicles as a more viable alternative. The podcast highlights the "chicken and egg" problem facing the industry, where the lack of fueling stations discourages car sales, and the low number of cars makes it difficult to justify building more stations. The episode also delves into the environmental debate surrounding hydrogen fuel cells, discussing the challenges of producing green hydrogen and the potential for leaks in the supply chain. The podcast features interviews with experts from the National Renewable Energy Lab and First Element Fuel, a company that operates hydrogen stations in California. It also includes stories from fuel cell drivers who share their experiences with the technology, including frustrations with unreliable stations, high fuel prices, and range anxiety. The episode concludes with David Pierce's reflections on his road trip experience and the future of hydrogen technology, suggesting that it may find its niche in other applications beyond passenger vehicles, such as heavy-duty vehicles, aviation, and shipping.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Hydrogen Highway: A Road Trip to the Past and Present

This episode follows host David Pierce's road trip across California in a Toyota Mirai, exploring the history of hydrogen fuel cell cars and the current state of the hydrogen infrastructure. It examines the challenges faced by drivers and the industry's "chicken and egg" problem.

00:16:35

The Rise and Fall of Hydrogen Cars

This chapter delves into the reasons behind the decline of hydrogen cars, discussing the challenges of building a hydrogen infrastructure and the emergence of battery electric vehicles as a more viable alternative. It features interviews with experts from the National Renewable Energy Lab and First Element Fuel.

00:29:38

The Environmental Debate and Future Applications

This chapter explores the environmental debate surrounding hydrogen fuel cells, highlighting the challenges of producing green hydrogen and the potential for leaks in the supply chain. It also discusses the efficiency of battery electric vehicles compared to hydrogen cars and the potential for hydrogen to be used in other applications, such as aviation and shipping.

00:42:53

Driver Experiences and Toyota's Commitment

This chapter features stories from fuel cell drivers who share their experiences with the technology, including frustrations with unreliable stations, high fuel prices, and range anxiety. It also explores Toyota's continued commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology, despite the challenges and the dominance of battery electric vehicles.

00:51:23

The Final Tank and Reflections

This chapter concludes with David Pierce's final fuel-up at a hydrogen station in the Bay Area, highlighting the high cost of hydrogen fuel compared to gasoline. He reflects on his road trip experience and the future of hydrogen technology, suggesting that it may find its niche in other applications beyond passenger vehicles.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the main challenges facing the hydrogen fuel cell car industry?

  The industry faces challenges in building a reliable and widespread hydrogen infrastructure, including the high cost of fuel, unreliable fueling stations, and the lack of a strong market for hydrogen cars.

• Why did battery electric vehicles become more popular than hydrogen fuel cell cars?

  Battery electric vehicles gained popularity due to their existing power grid infrastructure, the emergence of Tesla as a dominant player in the market, and the rapid improvement of battery technology.

• What is the future of hydrogen technology?

  While hydrogen fuel cell cars have faced challenges, hydrogen technology may find its niche in other applications, such as heavy-duty vehicles, aviation, and shipping.

• What is Toyota's strategy for hydrogen technology?

  Toyota continues to invest in hydrogen technology, seeing it as a potential alternative to battery electric vehicles in the long term. They are developing hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, and trains, as well as stationary generators.

• What is the "chicken and egg" problem facing the hydrogen car industry?

  The lack of fueling stations discourages car sales, and the low number of cars makes it difficult to justify building more stations, creating a vicious cycle that hinders the industry's growth.

Show Notes