Hydrogen for transportation: the case for a stakeholder dialogue

Abstract Hydrogen has been widely touted as a solution to the looming crisis of energy security and climate change. Hydrogen in fuel cells can be used to power vehicles with the emission of only water. Providing hydrogen on a national scale in the United States, however, will be difficult. Hydrogen for transportation would require an enormous change in America's infrastructure, with a need to build a sprawling hydrogen fueling system throughout the country. Recently, Tellus Institute, in a long-term scenario study of hydrogen fuel cells for transportation, has made clear that hydrogen fuel cells for car transportation could only be a viable option with massive investments in infrastructure along with large-scale carbon sequestration. Even then, there are many uncertainties concerning cost-effectiveness and the environmental gains associated with this option. These uncertainties and debates hamper both innovation and the development of clear government policies. Societal discussions about sustainable energy and transportation, the role of hydrogen fuel cells versus other mediumand long-term options, are complicated by the fact that so many technical experts have conflicting views, and by an intricate mixture of political and technical disagreements. In this paper we discuss a proposal for a national policy dialogue on a possible hydrogen future for America. We propose to bring together representatives of all key stakeholding groups, along with a wide range of experts, to consider the public and private investments that might be required to promote the accelerated development of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure in the United States. The results of the proposed national policy dialogue on hydrogen would include a clearer view on the most desirable policy options as well as a summary of potential business opportunities.