The Vergecast A road trip on the hydrogen highway
19 snips
Aug 20, 2024 
William Poor, a Producer at The Verge and leader of the hydrogen investigation, dives deep into the Hydrogen Highway. The conversation reveals the rise and challenges of hydrogen fuel cell technology vs. battery electric cars. Poor shares insights from a road trip that highlights difficulties in finding fueling stations and the declining hydrogen infrastructure. They explore the environmental impacts of hydrogen production and the frustrations of users. The episode serves as both a hopeful exploration and a stark reality check on hydrogen's road ahead.
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Road Trip Challenges
- Will Poor, Andrew Marino, and Alex Parkin rented a Toyota Mirai.
- They encountered offline hydrogen stations and high fuel prices, highlighting the challenges.
Fuel Cell Mechanics
- Fuel cell cars, like the Mirai, resemble regular EVs, using electric motors.
- A key difference is the use of hydrogen to generate electricity onboard, producing water.
Hydrogen Fueling Tips
- Be prepared for potential issues like credit card system failures and limited hydrogen availability.
- Factor in the high cost of hydrogen, which can exceed $180 per tank.