Fuel Cell Vehicles: Technological, Market, and Policy Issues

From The Critics

Automotive energy use policy expert DeCicco (Ph.D., mechanical engineering) addresses the fuel cell as a promising alternative to oil dependent and polluting gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. The author details the rationales favoring fuel cells, and the barriers system component technologies face due to industry gaps in development, maturity, experience, and fuel supply infrastructure. Among the policy factors that render at least the short-term future of such vehicles uncertain, he details the lack of: current air quality needs to compel zero-emission vehicles, affordability vs. internal combustion engines, a public R&D commitment to this technology; and competing technologies. Includes b&w photos of marketed and concept cars, and supporting tables and figures. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)