First "zero-emission" roadster

I think this is a better link:

Roadster

I think this is more impressive as a technological model than an actual car. I can't buy the concept of using wood to save weight. Carbon fiber is both lighter and stronger. Not to mention the risk of getting a wood sliver in your gluteus maximus.

I doubt this qualifies as the first since production of hydrogen is not zero emission and if you choose to ignore the emission cost of production of the fuel, the Tesla electric roadster would qualify as an earlier example of a zero-emission car. Additionally, the Tesla is in production now and the LIFEcar is just a concept vehicle that hasn't even been tested.

Smashing the Tesla record was done over 170 years ago when the first electric cars made their entry in Europe! History of Electric Cars

The twin problems of short mileage for the fuel charge, and distances between fuel stations have yet to be overcome.

Thanks Anonymous Hero for your link to Electric cars, which may otherwise not have been seen by some.

Kind Regards....

How can it be "zero emission"? Where did the hydrogen come from? Hydrogen is generally produced from hydrocarbons or through electrolysis of water. In either case a significant amout of hydrocarbons are consumed. Reminder - There is no such thing as a free lunch!!

You are so right, how quickly the masses forget simple physics!!!

Don't blame the masses, blame the lame journalists. I have been here before and will probably end up here again but those pesky know-nothing journalists bombard us with articles that mean less than life itself. It is that which needs addressing. You will find that you can accuse the masses for being spineless sheep or something, point fully taken on that but this article was not their fault. Sorry Andy but if there is a choice between ranting about masses or journalists I think the journalists will win hands down every time.

I lump "damn" journalists in with the masses anyway.....

Most of the times I would agree with you but my dislike for the journalists trying to drown us with rubbish is greater than my apathy for the masses.

Still what do we think of the damn car? I cannot even remember what it looks like.....oh yes, another concept futuristic looking unpractical thing, Ok another car I won't drive then.

I don't believe that hydrogen has a future as such anyway. Too expensive to make and too dangerous to store. The energy cells used for the conversion back to electricity consume too much nickel which is in short supply already so what will they do when a greater amount of cars will need those nickel filled cells? Nickel will become the next gold, platinum or diamond that way as it will be rarer and more expensive than any of those.

Zero-emissions hogwash, the Hydrogen is made by electricity from the grid andand there is the pollution. If made in small amounts using very expensive photovoltaic solar cells then it would require a huge investment per car just to make the hydrogen needed for normal driving.

The fuel cells can cost $60,000 each and there appear to be about 6 of them, making the cost of the bare-bones car as high as about $375,000. Then the short range of 125 miles from home base where your H generator is located is very limiting. An interesting prototype, but not nearly a practical car.

I think they could use a battery pack, generator and small steam engine in the same car and get the same speed, nearly zero emissions and the range would be unlimited because it could be refueled with kerosene or fuel oil as needed and run up to 50 miles on electric power charged from the grid. A steam-electric hybrid would be possible to put on the market quicker and at a lower price.