CelloMom On CarsFeb 12, 2023

The main reason the hydrogen hype is in overdrive: Big Oil n Gas wants to make money converting fossil gas into hydrogen.

"Before looking at why legacy #automotive companies, resource tycoons and the politicians that represent them, have been such huge advocates for hydrogen-powered vehicles, it’s important to firstly outline why #hydrogen cars are so fundamentally flawed and will never come close to competing with #battery electric vehicles."

#EV #EnergyTransition
https://thedriven.io/2023/02/10/the-madness-of-big-autos-push-for-hydrogen-powered-cars/

The madness of Big Auto's push for hydrogen-powered cars

The battle between hydrogen and electric vehicles has been more about preserving entrenched energy monopolies and less about science. The war is now over but some continue to push the hydrogen pipe dream.

The Driven
Show threadCelloMom On CarsFeb 12, 2023

There is a place for #hydrogen. But blindly applying it everywhere turns it into a solution looking for a problem.

"According to the Renewable Energy Institute (REI), a Japanese environmental think tank, this push to use hydrogen in every conceivable energy sector is actually doing more harm than good. "

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/a42665011/japan-hydrogen-energy-failure/

Japan Tried to Build a Hydrogen Society. It Backfired Spectacularly.

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Popular Mechanics
Show threadCelloMom On CarsFeb 12, 2023

Everybody knows - I hope everybody knows - that fully two thirds of the energy you pour into the gasoline / diesel tank of your ICE car gets lost as heat. It's like buying three pounds of vegetables and immediately throwing out two before you start to cook with the remaining pound.

Turns, out, #hydrogen cars have the same inefficiency: 34% - 37%.

Battery e-cars have a 87% efficiency. The same solar field can power nearly three times more EVs than hydrogen cars.

https://thedriven.io/2023/02/10/the-madness-of-big-autos-push-for-hydrogen-powered-cars/

The madness of Big Auto's push for hydrogen-powered cars

The battle between hydrogen and electric vehicles has been more about preserving entrenched energy monopolies and less about science. The war is now over but some continue to push the hydrogen pipe dream.

The Driven
Show threadGATEKEEPER
@CelloMomOnCars
If manufactures weren't so obsessed with SPEED in EVs the motors can deliver more mileage. 1000 horsepower is obscene. Most gas cars in the size range are 175 to 225 HP.
May 31, 2023 at 2:35pmWeb
Show threadCelloMom On CarsMay 31, 2023

@GatekeepKen

If manufacturers weren't so obsessed with PROFIT the world would be a better place.

Lithium could be spread over a lot more EVs.
Walkers and bikers wouldn't be bullied - and killed - by SUVs.
We would all get fewer speeding tickets.

A long time ago I figured out - for fun - how much #horsepower you need for a medium-sized car to cruise the nation's highways.
Spoiler: 76 HP.

http://www.cellomomcars.com/2011/11/how-much-horsepower-do-you-need.html

How much horsepower do you <em>need</em>?

One very important item in the "Performance Specification" page of any car is the power of the engine. CelloMom explores what exactly you ...

Show threadGATEKEEPERMay 31, 2023
@CelloMomOnCars
The government should lower all speeds on interstates by 10MPH and install photo ticketing for offenders . A luxury tax on Gas cars and Trucks over $50,000 of 10%. IMO
Show threadCelloMom On CarsMay 31, 2023

@GatekeepKen

The US government lowered the highway speed limit to 55 MPH in the 1980s, to save gas - but many places have gone to 65 mph after that.

The Netherlands has camera ticketing on highways - people drive 100 kph exactly. Also their various taxes on an Audi Q5 amount to about $20,000. Yeah. They didn't ban them. But there are very few of them on Dutch roads.
These things are very hard to get in the US because of #CarBrain. It takes culture change.

Show threadGATEKEEPERMay 31, 2023
@CelloMomOnCars
I can't believe they haven't lowered the speeds .Most interstates in Va, WV and PA are 70, people do 80 and cops don't mind. I got hit by a camera in Pa. doing 11 mph over the limit. They sent me the picture and said nothing is required at this time..
Luxury taxes will make some reconsider the purchase.
Show threadCelloMom On CarsMay 31, 2023

@GatekeepKen

Lowering the speed limit - or even imposing one - is a hot button issue in Germany right now. Amazing what #CarBrain can do to otherwise very rational people. I mean, they're trying to lessen reliance on Russian - or any - oil, right.

In the US, speed cameras run into people crying foul of privacy rights and jurisdictions making mint out of unsuspecting - and innocent! - drivers. Innocent, I tell you. </sarc>

Show threadDavid HembrowMay 31, 2023
@CelloMomOnCars That seems quite generous.
We haven't had a car for some years now but when I first met my wife she owned one with a 41 HP engine. We lived in the UK and it took us around much of the country, including hilly areas, without any problems caused by lack of power. Acceleration was fairly gradual but it was definitely capable of exceeding the 70 mph speed limit (though not uphill).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Metro
@GatekeepKen
Austin Metro - Wikipedia

Show threadGATEKEEPERMay 31, 2023
@hembrow @CelloMomOnCars
That's what we need now
Show threadCelloMom On CarsMay 31, 2023

@hembrow

The 76HP is for a "medium" (for the US) car like a Toyota Camry to go up a 6% grade at 65mph.

More than 150 HP is a boys' dream implanted by the car industry.

Your story reminds me, my husband has stories of his grandfather taking his car (ancient in the 1970s) up the hill at Newton Poppleford (near Sidmouth) and rather literally going backward as he shifted gears -- I'm sure that car had less than 41HP!

@GatekeepKen