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Already, Toyota is
claiming that its hybrid
cars will eventually become fuel cell cars. In
essence, hybrid vehicles are providing the foundation for
fuel cell automobiles. A recent article
demonstrates that Ford is also starting to follow this
path. "The FCV [Ford Fusion FCV] is a hybrid car that
uses a fuel cell powertrain supplied by Ballard Power
Systems Inc. as well as a nickel metal-hydride battery
pack and a brake-by-wire electrohydraulic regenerative
braking system."
If this is true, what is the foundation of most hybrid
critics?
Hybrids, such as the Prius
or the Escape
hybrid, can achieve amazing fuel efficiency and clean
emissions today, but the potential of such hybrids is
barely being tapped. Better hybrid batteries, diesel
hybrids or bio-diesel hybrids, demonstrate that we can
change the world - in terms of foreign oil dependency and
clean air - and we don't have to wait for fuel cells.
Nonetheless, as fuel cell breakthroughs do occur, we can
convert hybrids into fuel cell hybrid vehicles.
Is it just because GM isn't leading the way that hybrids
are so criticized? I know they have an amazingly huge
marketing budget, but is that enough reason for critics to
wear such blinders?
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