Garry Golden

I am inspired by GM’s bold push into the all electric motor age of vehicle design… I have been watching their reinvention of vehicle design and manufacturing since their ‘Autonomy’ concept car…
See recent images of Volt’s new fuel cell/battery chassis - via CNET

Continue below to check out my cheat sheet… it is my attempt to help evolve the conversation around transportation and energy beyond talk of hybrids, ethanol - and the confusion over ‘electric or hydrogen’ vehicles (when they are the really same thing!)

Q: What powers the 21^st vehicle?

A: Electrons feeding electric motors!
The future ‘fuel’ for vehicles isn’t a fuel at all – it is an ‘energy carrier’.

Q: How will we supply the electrons?

A: A combination of batteries, hydrogen fuel cell and capacitors.  Not one system is likely to dominate in the end.

Cars are not iPods and battery performance is not suited for vehicle systems.  While we are certain to see all battery electric vehicles in the marketplace, at some point, fuel cells will become competitive and offer superior cost/performance  to batteries.   Expect auto engineers to utilize all three systems - fuel cells for main power supply, batteries for systems control, and capacitors for extra propulsion.

Q: Where will we get the electrons and hydrogen from?

A: All sources of energy – hydrocarbons, nuclear and renewables (including next generation biofuels).
In a system based on electric motors (not liquid fuels for combustion) renewables can finally compete.  Remember that in a combustion engine platform you cannot put wind/solar energy into the tank. 

Q: What will disappear first – oil or the combustion engine?

A: The Combustion Engine. Oil has a lot of life left. And natural gas is likely to be the main feedstock for H2!

Q: What about hybrids & ethanol?

A: They only extend the era of the combustion engine. They are not ‘disruptive technologies’- and looking at total global consumption of oil and combustion engine vehicles - these options cannot improve the situation for the planet or the automobile industry. The combustion engine is huge liability for automakers given its complexities of supply chains (for mechanical power systems/transmission) and design limitations (remember, 1/3rd of vehicle bodies are taken up to house the engine).  The most disruptive system would be four wheel based electric motors that allow automakers to construct multiple body chassis on the same factory floor. 

Q: When will fuel cells become cost effective?

A: We don’t know - but soon! Nearly 75% of fuel cell costs relate to its membrane (MEA). For PEM Fuel cells this has meant fluorocarbon based membranes (i.e. Nafion). Lower cost alternatives include hydrocarbon membranes and the use of nanoparticles to reduce amount needed for precious metals. Also watch out for ‘ink jet’ printing of MEAs… So be patient. And confident that electrochemical conversion will be much cheaper than mechanical combustion engines soon enough…! Learn about membrane science at the nanoscale.

Q: Won’t the hydrogen tanks blow up?

A: Hydrogen will be stored as solid - not a liquid or gas. Imagine sponges with high surface areas that bind hydrogen molecules.

Q: What about converting gas stations? Or building the ‘Hydrogen Highway’?

A: We might see some corner hydrogen gas stations. But the solid state storage of hydrogen allows for retail based distribution. So you can purchase fuel for your car (in the form of bricks) at your local retail store. The other favored option is home-based hydrogen production using natural gas lines and energy appliances; or solar panel/electrical grid electrolysis machines. We cannot pick winners. But don’t expect to see corner hydrogen ’stations’!

Q: Why will the electric vehicle dominate life in the 21^st Century?

A: Because it creates more social and economic value for industries and consumers. Electric propulsion systems promise much leaner manufacturing/supply chains; and provide a clear path for future revenue growth around telematics (in car services based on electricity) Look for more posts about the potential 2nd and 3rd level implications of electric vehicle ownership in our cities and rural communities.