Chrysler Announces Hydrogen Fuel Cell Van

Juanfe writes: "Chrysler group announced a concept vehicle called the Natrium, powered by a sodium borohydride (NaBH4) engine developed by Millenium Cell. NaBH4 can be made from sodium borate -- basic borax, used in laundry detergent. MilleniumCell is a US Company that, not surprisingly, has made strategic agreements with major borax purveyors in the US (which just happens to be thought of as the largest borax reserve in the world). Could this be the start of the end of big oil and the start of the start of big Borax?" superflippy points out that Chrysler's press release is related to the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA) Electric Transportation Industry Conference 2001.

Comments

Its not just cost its Infrastructure

[Zachary Kessin]

Ok lets say that in 5 years Crysler (Or Ford or GM Or whomever) puts out a van that runs on these fuel cells. Before I go out and buy one I want to know a few things:

1) Where do I go for fuel?
2) How much does it cost per mile for fuel?
3) When it breaks where do I get it fixed?
4a) When it needs a part where do I get it
4b) How long does it take for the parts to show up?
5) How much does it cost to insure?

In the US we are real good at Gas and Diesel fuel you can get them almost anywhere. And enough things run on them that getting spare parts and people who know how to fix the things is not hard. I have seen cars that run on Compressed Natural Gas, but there is no way in hell I would buy one. Why because there are like 3 places in all metro Boston that I can get CNG. Where as the 87 octane gas that my Saturn wants can be gotten anywhere.

Remember the cost of owning a car is not just the fuel prices.

Re:Screw the Arabs!

[FFFish]

"You have to ask yourself..."

Er, no. Because what *YOU* think about the evil of oil and gas doesn't count. Not one little bit. It's what Bush and his oil cronies think that counts... and what they think is that war and mid-East upset is well worth the cost. After all, not only do they get rich off the war itself, they get rich off the world's largest oil reserves, which just happen to require a pipeline to run through Afghanistan.

As long as your political system is owned and run by megacorporations, you can not reduce or eliminate your dependency on oil.