THE BURNING ISSUE 3: Small steps or one giant leap towards hydrogen?

This issue is not merely smouldering, it is blazing.

If no common path can be agreed upon, investments in both paths will stuck at half of what is needed. In that case it is unlikely we will see either CNG buses that meet all market requirements (like a satisfactory driving radius) or large scale consumer use of hydrogen for mobility any time soon.

And a lack of industry investments would not be the only cause of slow development. The battle between blu-ray and HD DVD teaches that consumers are reluctant to invest in any other than the one new technology.

Spread your bets
But then again, industry and governments alike are already spreading their bets, and over more than two systems, at that. Investments are not restricted to CNG and hydrogen, but include further development and dissemination of electric vehicles and biofuels and emissions filters and the promotion of cycling and walking.

Some say hydrogen fuel cells will never be commercially feasible. So until we are sure that they will be, further investments in other forms of sustainable mobility may be the wiser strategy.

Furthermore, there will always remain people adamant in their wish to keep filling up on CNG when the rest of the world is using hydrogen. We like to have a choice, whether between diesel and gasoline, or CNG and hydrogen.

Decide through discussion
So let's decide: should we continue taking intermediate steps, valuable in their own right, or do we venture one giant leap towards hydrogen? The issue is open to discussion!

Strong cases can be made for both sides and it is interesting to know who is thinking along which lines. To help you make up your mind, read some of the various pleas to be found in previous publications on MindsinMotion.net (see below).

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