And

The Bush administrations Freedom Car initiative aims to establish the Fuel-Cell Vehicle (FCV) as a replacement for the internal combustion engine. However, the administration seems to have taken this stance in the absence of an explicit study confirming that FCVs are superior to the only other zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) alternative, the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). Based on an automobile model that is characteristic of the largest segment of light-duty vehicles, results are presented from widely cited government studies of FCV and BEV technology to show that the BEV is far more favorable than the FCV in terms of performance, cost, and energy efficiency. The differences are particularly dramatic when we assume that energy is derived from renewable resources. Our results suggest, that for this important class of vehicles, BEVs would be more likely than FCVs to meet consumer demands. This is striking, in light of the fact that the Bush Administration has chosen to direct federal support away from BEV development