A road trip on the hydrogen highway | The Vergecast
21 Aug 2024 (27 days ago)
Intro and studio redecoration
- The speaker is attempting to improve the appearance of their home office/guest room, as they now record a podcast on camera and are more aware of how the space looks.
- The speaker received suggestions for improvement, including adding blinds to the window, moving a guitar, and replacing mugs with books.
- The speaker acknowledges that they may eventually add more elaborate decorations, such as purple lights, in a similar fashion to other YouTubers. (00:01:20)
A road trip on the hydrogen highway
- In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger of California envisioned a "hydrogen highway" with a network of hydrogen fueling stations to support hydrogen fuel cell cars.
- Twenty years later, the hydrogen highway has not materialized as planned, with existing stations facing issues like frequent breakdowns, high fuel costs, and low car sales.
- A Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell car, functions similarly to a Tesla, with both using electric motors, but the Mirai generates electricity through a hydrogen fuel cell instead of storing it in a battery.
Challenges of hydrogen fueling stations
- Hydrogen fuel stations are scarce, with only one available on Interstate 5 between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
- Hydrogen fuel is expensive, costing around $180-$190 to fill a sedan.
- Hydrogen fuel stations are unreliable, with many experiencing technical issues like card system failures, pump malfunctions, and insufficient hydrogen supply.
The rise of battery electric vehicles
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) had an early advantage due to the existing electrical grid, making charging infrastructure simpler to implement.
- Tesla's entry into the market with the Roadster in 2008 significantly influenced the BEV industry by driving down prices and expanding charging infrastructure.
- While government funding is available for hydrogen fueling stations, companies like Shell are withdrawing from their hydrogen plans in California, indicating a shift in investment towards BEVs.
First Element's struggles
- First Element built smaller, cheaper hydrogen fueling stations to prove the viability of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market and encourage automakers to start selling cars.
- The smaller stations were quickly overwhelmed, and the equipment was not robust enough to handle the demands placed on it by the increased traffic.
- First Element is now faced with a chicken-and-egg problem where the lack of a robust refueling infrastructure is hindering the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Life 360 ad
- Tile trackers can be attached to valuables, such as keys, wallets, or pet collars, to help locate them if lost.
- Users can use the Life 360 app to ring their Tile tracker or track its location, even if the item is stolen.
- Tile trackers have a lost and found QR code that allows the finder to contact the owner, and users can double-click the button on their Tile to ring their lost phone, even if it's on silent.
Journey to Harris Ranch
- The car has been driven for approximately 3 hours, the tank is half full, and the current temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Harris Ranch is located between San Francisco and Los Angeles and features a Shell gas station, the world's largest bank of Tesla superchargers, a hotel, restaurants, and a gift shop with a butcher counter.
- The First Element hydrogen pump is located on a plot of concrete past a Shell station, palm trees, a barbecue pit, a convenience store, and an RV park that is under construction. (00:30:40)
Hydrogen pump struggles
- The speaker's experience with the hydrogen pump was difficult due to the heat and multiple attempts needed to initiate fueling.
- After refueling, the display indicated a range of 236 miles, less than a full tank, requiring another attempt to refuel.
- During the second refueling attempt, technical issues arose with the pin pad freezing and displaying an error message before eventually resetting and dispensing fuel.
- After successfully refueling, the nozzle became stuck to the car, causing further frustration and highlighting the challenges faced during the trip.
Steak-out at Harris Ranch
- The group waited for other fuel cell drivers to arrive for three hours.
- The group ate dinner at a barbecue pit while observing a gas station parking lot.
- At approximately 8:00 p.m., after being tired of waiting at gas stations, the group decided to leave.
Meeting more hydrogen car drivers
- Billy, a driver of a hydrogen car, states that he doesn't see many other people at hydrogen fuel stations.
- Billy has driven his hydrogen car from Los Angeles to San Francisco multiple times and suggests an alternate route along Highway 101 with a fuel station in Santa Barbara.
- He mentions that driving the Highway 101 route can be anxiety-inducing as it requires careful planning and conservative driving to avoid running out of fuel before reaching the next station.
Environmental impact of hydrogen
- The majority of hydrogen produced today is created using a process that emits carbon dioxide and relies on a methane-leaking supply chain.
- Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy, is significantly more expensive than hydrogen produced from natural gas.
- The cost of green hydrogen is currently about four times higher than the cost of hydrogen produced from natural gas.
Hydrogen vs. battery electric vehicles
- It is acknowledged that a significant portion, approximately 60%, of the electricity generated in the US originates from gas and coal sources. To transition to a future primarily reliant on clean battery electric technology, a substantial increase in green energy production and extensive upgrades to the existing power grid are deemed necessary. (00:37:06)
- Hydrogen fuel cell technology introduces an additional step in the energy conversion process compared to battery electric vehicles. While both ultimately rely on renewable electricity, hydrogen vehicles require the intermediary step of using renewable energy to produce hydrogen fuel.
- There is growing enthusiasm surrounding the potential applications of hydrogen fuel in sectors such as industrial operations, aviation, and shipping. These industries present challenges in terms of their compatibility with direct grid-powered electric solutions, making hydrogen a potentially more viable option.
Exploring LA's hydrogen scene
- Los Angeles, California has the highest concentration of fuel cell cars and hydrogen fueling stations in the state.
- Many fuel cell vehicle drivers in Los Angeles are experiencing challenges with the hydrogen fuel infrastructure, including month-long shortages, offline stations, and frozen nozzles. (00:38:55)
- Some fuel cell vehicle drivers in Los Angeles feel misled about the value of their cars and the availability of fuel, leading to frustration and regret.
Toyota's commitment to hydrogen
- Toyota sold 322 fuel cell cars in California in the first half of the year, while approximately 200,000 battery EVs were sold in the same period.
- Toyota is exploring the use of hydrogen fuel cells in various applications, including buses, trucks, trains, stationary generators, and potentially even airplanes.
- Toyota's investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology extends beyond cars, with a focus on developing refueling infrastructure for trucks and exploring other industries where fuel cells might be advantageous. (00:46:31)
Reflecting on the road trip
- The speakers drove the hydrogen car for approximately 875 miles over 3 days.
- The speakers had to return the rental car with a full tank of hydrogen, which cost $165.80.
- The speakers reflect on their experience, noting that they enjoyed being part of a community of fuel cell drivers who were helpful and enjoyed sharing tips and stories.