I don’t think transitioning to either predominantly BEVs or hydrogen powered vehicles really affects the energy mix since the electricity to charge BEVs also comes from natural gas. That said, the infrastructure to support fast charging for a predominantly BEV fleet isn’t there either, especially for cargo trucks.
Hydrogen is definitely interesting for the future but is currently used by the oil industry to stall the transition away from gas. On top of that, almost all hydrogen making its way to market is dirty.
We can think about hydrogen and the mountains of infrastructure it needs after the oil barons are all dead.
CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 1 week ago
Grimy@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Most of the hydrogen on market is made with methane.
EVs use whatever source is being given, and most of these sources are converting to renewables.
Not comparable imo.
It’s also worth noting that EVs can be charged at home. Fast charging isn’t necessary for most and it’s silly to pretend like hydrogen doesn’t need its own distribution network. It’s a lot more complicated to set up a hydrogen refilling station than a fast charging one and you can’t fully fill your hydrogen over night by plugging it into your wall outlet.
CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 6 days ago
Most of the hydrogen on market is made with methane.
EVs use whatever source is being given, and most of these sources are converting to renewables.
Not comparable imo.
As I explained in this reply, you can’t count on the grid’s energy mix improving or not getting worse as the vehicle fleet transitions to BEV. What you identify as a problem with FCEVs is really just bad energy policy that BEVs don’t solve either.
I actually kind of agree with you that the ideal BEV requires barely any new infrastructure. It should have a small battery that can support a daily commute and errands with slow charging at home overnight or during the day at work. Yet somehow these “fast” charging stations, which aren’t as fast or convenient as regular gas stations (and still run at least partially on fossil fuels anyway), have to get built everywhere. If we can’t get rid of these stations then let them be hydrogen stations.
Grimy@lemmy.world 6 days ago
you can’t count on the grid’s energy mix improving or not getting worse as the vehicle fleet transitions to BEV.
That is a possibility but they have already corrupted hydrogen. Between the two, I will go with the one that can go either way. There’s also the fact that EVs are being produced now while hydrogen car production is still a way off, so it’s a stall tactic as well
Yet somehow these “fast” charging stations, which aren’t as fast or convenient as regular gas stations (and still run at least partially on fossil fuels anyway), have to get built everywhere. If we can’t get rid of these stations then let them be hydrogen stations.
They can also be set up anywhere and are much more convenient, I’ve seen quite a few in residential streets, companies can set them up in their parking lots, etc. You can’t treat a compressed gas the same way, even if it’s just the canisters. It willl require much more investment in our infrastructure and conversion isn’t straight forward.
I think it’s cool tech but in our situation and looking at our current needs, pushing for hydrogen right now is a pipe dream fueld by the oil industry.
NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Hardly, since Methanol does most things better.