7 votes

Could Hawaii be paradise for hydrogen-powered public transit?

6 comments

  1. [4]
    spctrvl
    Link
    I don't get why people are still trying so hard to make hydrogen happen. It's just stupidly inefficient compared to batteries, and requires so much new infrastructure. For the edge cases where you...

    I don't get why people are still trying so hard to make hydrogen happen. It's just stupidly inefficient compared to batteries, and requires so much new infrastructure. For the edge cases where you can't use batteries cause of charge time or energy density or whatever, carbon neutral biofuels are already widely available, without needing to sink hundreds of billions into a new fuel paradigm.

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      tr3ndy
      Link Parent
      My university is currently in the process of getting rid of our hydrogen-powered buses. From what I hear, it's mostly due to possible safety concerns in case of an accident

      My university is currently in the process of getting rid of our hydrogen-powered buses. From what I hear, it's mostly due to possible safety concerns in case of an accident

      1 vote
      1. spctrvl
        Link Parent
        Really? I can't imagine it's any more dangerous than gas or diesel in that regard, especially with the H2 tank needing to be so much sturdier with insulation.

        Really? I can't imagine it's any more dangerous than gas or diesel in that regard, especially with the H2 tank needing to be so much sturdier with insulation.

        1 vote
    2. alyaza
      Link Parent
      i think it's mostly novelty and coolness factor, personally, in the same sort of way as shit like elon musk's hyperloop. because i mean, you have to admit--even if it'd be inefficient and a...

      I don't get why people are still trying so hard to make hydrogen happen. It's just stupidly inefficient compared to batteries, and requires so much new infrastructure.

      i think it's mostly novelty and coolness factor, personally, in the same sort of way as shit like elon musk's hyperloop. because i mean, you have to admit--even if it'd be inefficient and a gigantic waste of taxpayer money, and there's a whole fuck ton of logistical considerations that need to be made before you can even try to produce an end-product that's viable in any way--that "hydrogen-powered public transit" sounds cool as shit. (which is how they get you on it, incidentally: emotions, and not thinking it through in any way)

  2. [2]
    Nivlak
    Link
    Why don’t we focus on the rail first? Lol

    Why don’t we focus on the rail first? Lol

    1. alyaza
      Link Parent
      well, i think people would rather knock out two birds with one stone and get an efficient, green transit system in addition to one that actually fucking works, rather than one that is just a...

      well, i think people would rather knock out two birds with one stone and get an efficient, green transit system in addition to one that actually fucking works, rather than one that is just a gigantic piece of shit leftover from the days when people actually cared about trains or greyhounds (or whatever form of transportation that makes up the abysmal national transit system of america and the generally-worse state transit systems that exist) or one which is so utterly inefficient you might as well just drive.