How fast Fuel cell technology can become commercially affordable reality, especially in transportation?
AK: Fuel Cells unlike15-20 years back are no more a far off dream. The potential for them to reach market place is high. Some of the fuel cell types like phosphoric acid and molten carbonate are already commercialized; others are in the pipe line. One of the main hindrances is the cost of these systems which is a factor of 10-100 times higher than the market entry cost. The government in some countries has taken a major role in commercialization by providing rebates and incentives with the installation of fuel cells. These technologies have started to penetrate in very specific niche market segments like UPS, back-up power. We have seen fuel cell manufactures rolling out their pre-commercial prototypes. Major automobile manufactures including Honda, Toyota, GM, and DaimlerChrysler have demonstration of fuel cell powered vehicles running in several countries. For example: Honda has a fleet of around 15 fuel cell vehicles running in the U.S. When the technology can become commercially af
