triumphrider-

Hello from Ft. Worth (by way of California). I have some indirect knowledge of fuel cells, costs, care and maintenance...I can share what I know. There seem to be big pros/cons. Maintenance can tend to be high. I believe the major FC players bury the costs in 'warranty'. I've had conversations with two major retailers (one in TX) that have demo'ed fuel cells...and did not follow through with implementation due to high capital and maintenance costs. There are also many end-users that have implemented them (Ace Hardware in Wilmer, TX for example). We have a mixed bag here, and I see the public companies embracing the FC's and the privately held companies holding off. There is a pending Tax Credit for FC purchases...I am certain the 30% credit goes a long way towards the feasibility (fuel cells can be 3x the cost of Lead Acid).

No one can argue that FC's are by far more convenient, never requiring a battery 'change' and you can recharge a FC in a couple minutes and return to work. Big advantages.

What I do hear, and have heard for the last 25 years is the desire for a better battery, which is why I originally created this topic, to explore the BYD Lithium battery. Now almost a year after I started this thread, I can tell you the interest is there and it is palpable, and lithium by all accounts is progressing in the MHE market.

At the end of the day, you have many steps involved in creating, transporting and converting H2 into a usable energy source...Like any of us who have tinkered around with machines, the more parts, the more opportunity for failures...I don't see H2 as the permanent solution, more of a transitional power source.

Hope this helped.