Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

This ignores the fact that EVs are currently the only viable path towards road-based transport that is compatible with the continued existence of our species.

The transition isn't urgent due to oil prices. It's urgent due to greenhouse gases making the planet inhospitable for humans.




Maybe less urgent now? And let’s not forget many other countries with 2030 commitments to going pure EV.


There are also fuel cell vehicles such as the Honda Clarity, Toyota Mirai, and Hyundai Nexo.


Musk has said that hydrogen is foolish. I can understand that angle, because the concussive blast from compressed hydrogen ignition would be more dangerous than a lithium fire.

But a hydrogen economy feels like it could work when scaled up. Somehow it feels practical as the most abundant element in the universe, with high energy density. Lithium/cobalt reserves are limited, though recycling measures might could solve that problem.

Platinum-group element coated electrodes powered by ~25 year life spans of cadmium/tellurium solar cells (or Perovskite, and many others I'm sure, but Cd/Te is the one I've deployed en masse personally) would allow for low maintenance hydrogen generation and a shift away from natural gas sourcing.

Nafion is necessary for the fuel cells themselves but I'm not sure about the production process behind that.


"less urgent" doesn't mean its not important at all. When we were constantly at the brink of war and supporting all kinds of terrible governments to secure stable access to oil and keep the petrodollar intact.. There was more pressure to quickly develop alternatives to oil.


Hasn’t the sky is falling meme lost most of its traction over the last few years?


Oh,is that so? Try to guess where's the electricity coming and the inpact it has on environment.


Depends on where you live. If Vermont, more than 90% of their grid is powered by renewables and other non carbon sources like nuclear.

Not to mention that the equivalent mpg for a Tesla is 100mpg.

Add to that the fact that mass produced grid electricity is massively more efficient and clean than everyone generating energy themselves. (ala internal combustion engine).

It would be like saying that everyone having their own gas generator at home is just as bad as having a single gas power plant that powers the grid.

Sure, there are other sources of pollution like the batteries but "all in", electric cars are still significantly better for the environment.


You seem to have a very low opinion of human adaptability to varying climates.


If a bulk of the species living on the planet collapse from climate change, humans will not be having a good time.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: