I just had the opportunity to watch At War With The Dinosaurs, a film that chronicles the especially bumpy journey of the fuel cell electric vehicle and hydrogen. Not surprisingly, the hurdles faced mirror that of the battery-electric car.

It starts out with Jack Nicholson sucking on a tailpipe to prove that his hydrogen vehicle was not emitting poisonous gas and goes on to offer a historical perspective of hydrogen technology and electric vehicles, the consequences of our fossil fuel consumption, and the powerful political and business interests that lay roadblocks before any innovation that threatens the oil industry.

It also highlights the unnecessary fight between battery and fuel cell EV technology, driven either by business competition or destructive wedges intentionally placed by other interests. In my opinion, this technology bashing is unfortunate as there is space for each and the conflict creates drag.

There is even a cameo of one of our BIEVA leaders!

Looking for something interesting to watch this long weekend? Check out this film. It is available for rent on Amazon and iTunes. Watch At War With The Dinosaurs

– Noel Morin

While battery EV technology continues to be the ideal solution for passenger vehicles at the moment, fuel-cell EV technology is invaluable for heavy freight, sea, and air transport. It is also proving to be relevant for utility-grade storage and industrial processes. The inefficiencies associated with hydrogen production, transport, and electricity production are negated by the weight, range, and fueling speed advantages. Importantly, extra attention must be placed on the source of the hydrogen. Much of the nation’s hydrogen comes from steam reformation of natural gas! Fortunately, this need not be the case – excess energy from renewables and methane captured from biodegradable waste (sewage, landfills, green waste) can and must be the source. This is referred to as ‘green hydrogen’

Expect additional information on this in a future post.