Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Transportation - the Future is Arriving

Congressional Briefing:
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in Transportation - the Future is Arriving

June 12, 2009, 1-3 pm, Room 128 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Industries, along with federal and state governments, have invested nearly $5 billion in the development and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Many studies by DOE, the National Academies and industry have clearly shown the technical barriers that need to be overcome and the pathways to commercial success. Considerable progress has been made in identifying and solving key technical problems. Early market applications like portable and backup power, materials handling equipment and municipal buses are growing, building technical bridges to more widespread market applications - especially in the transportation sector.

The greatest gains in end use efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions will come with mass markets - Zero Emission Vehicles running on domestic hydrogen. Some 350-380 million light duty vehicles could be on U.S. roads by 2050, yet today's fleet of some 230 million gasoline vehicles emit over a third of all our CO2. Replacing oil and taking the auto out of the environmental equation is a complex and lengthy undertaking, and a balanced portfolio is critical if government's leadership role in research, development and demonstration is to achieve real value. Consequently, the FY 10 DOE Budget Request to zero hydrogen programs is of serious concern.