Hybrids leave hydrogen cars standing

NEW YORK - Hybrid cars, which combine electric motors with small petrol engines, will outpace the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel-cell cars until at least 2020, says a university study.

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles have low emissions and energy use on the road.

But the study says that converting a hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas or petrol into hydrogen to fuel such vehicles uses substantial energy and emits greenhouse gases.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology research was published after the Bush Administration announced an initiative to develop hydrogen fuel cells.

Combined with last year's "Freedom Car" programme to build vehicles fuelled by hydrogen, the initiative will be powered by US$1.2 billion ($2.1 billion) in Government funds.

US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said it should be cost-effective to produce hydrogen-fuel cars in large numbers and have them in showrooms by 2020.

The cars could reduce US demand for foreign oil by 11 million barrels a day by 2040, says the Energy Department.

But the MIT study says that even with aggressive research, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle would not be better than a diesel hybrid in total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

That is because virtually all industrial hydrogen supply at the moment comes from natural gas.

In the future, analysts say, large amounts of hydrogen will be separated from water, where it bonds with oxygen, through the use of alternative energies such as wind and solar power.

But the study says that for now, the green method of making hydrogen is too expensive.

"If we learn how to do it, that's absolutely wonderful, but I wouldn't hold my breath," said Malcolm Weiss, a researcher with MIT's Laboratory for Energy and Environment.

"Ignoring the emissions and energy involved in making and delivering the fuel and manufacturing the vehicle gives a misleading impression."

After 2020, hydrogen cars will win out, predicted the researchers, who do not recommend stopping work on the hydrogen fuel cell.

"If auto systems with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions are required in, say, 30 to 50 years, hydrogen is the only major fuel option identified to date," said John Heywood, an MIT researcher.

The hydrogen would have to be made without making greenhouse gas, through a non-carbon source such as solar energy.

- REUTERS