Editor, The Beacon:

A totally electric Jeep model tipped the scale at 9,000 pounds. The battery alone weighs 3,300 pounds, which is the weight of a gasoline-powered car. The added weight puts lighter vehicles at a disadvantage if involved in a collision.

While it looks good in theory, what is the reality of replacing millions of conventional vehicles with lithium-powered batteries? Major lithium deposits are located in China, who could cut off supplies to the U.S. at will.

In addition, electric-vehicle batteries must be recharged. With recent high weather temps, power plants are being pushed to the limit of rolling blackouts. Where is the electricity going to come from?

Some energy is required to produce hydrogen. When used as fuel, hydrogen produces water vapor as exhaust.

Rather than replace an entire conventional fleet with EVs, it is more efficient to retrofit the existing ones to run on hydrogen.

This direction eliminates the additional battery weight and issues associated with battery recharging. Employment opportunities are created for mechanics and for those who can distribute and recharge compressed hydrogen-fuel tanks.

COVID exposed reliance on foreign suppliers and supply chains as something to be avoided. Domestic hydrogen production would make the U.S. independent of foreign energy sources.

Toyota has developed a 5-liter pickup truck engine that uses hydrogen.

The potential is there. With rising temperatures, it’s time for a change. Global warming can no longer be denied.

Tom Walker

DeLeon Springs