Yes, it is waste. Unfortunately storing electrical power in a battery, then withdrawing it also involves waste. Which is more wasteful is debatable, although the edge probably goes to the battery, at least when measured as power from the wall. When the total efficiency from fossil fuel to kWh delivered from a battery is considered vs steam reformation of fossil fuel to hydrogen to fuel cell output in kWh, the advantage may go to hydrogen but at MUCH higher expense. For both, the weight and volume of tankage (and fuel) to contain the "fuel" puts both at a huge disadvantage compared to gasoline or diesel, hence hybrids. There is no "good" answer, but perhaps a "less bad." --- On Tue, 3/31/09, David <totakeke...@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: David <totakeke...@yahoo.com> Subject: [USMA:44247] RE: Nail in the coffin for hydrogen (at least for now)? To: "U.S. Metric Association" <usma@colostate.edu> Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 4:39 AM As for hydrogen, isn't it wasted energy to use electricity to get hydrogen instead of just using the electricity to power the car directly?
