A new study released on Monday (8th November) has suggested that both fuel cell and battery electric vehicles are commercially viable.

International consulting firm McKinsey & Co claimed that the two innovations could be cost-competitive with their internal combustion engine counterparts as early as 2020.

In addition, the report, entitled 'A Portfolio of Power-trains: A Fact-Based Analysis', suggested that both will be required for sustainable transport networks to be achieved by 2050.

The company also concluded that a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure is "justified and doable", with similar costs to setting up widespread charging facilities for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Ruth Cox, President and Executive Director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), welcomed the findings of the study, which was sponsored by a 31-member public-private coalition.

She described the conclusions as "emphatic" and urged US lawmakers to make the necessary shift in its energy policy to help the technology reach the full market.

"This highly detailed analysis confirms the value of fuel cell electric vehicles in our national clean energy portfolio," said Ms Cox.

"Fuel cell electric vehicles are ready for commercial scale-up. [They] are the best electric vehicle option for longer trips, and for medium size and larger vehicles, where they can be cost-competitive with internal combustion engines."

The FCHEA was recently formed through a merger of the US Fuel Cell Council and the National Hydrogen Association.

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Leading US Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Organization Applauds New Study on Commercial Viability of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (09/11/10) 

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