Fuel Cells vs. Batteries: The Arguments Get Bitter

Congress gave final approval to nearly $200 million in hydrogen research funding last week, at a time when the arguments between fuel-cell and battery car advocates are heating up. In their dialogues, which are sometimes more like screaming matches, the more conciliatory hydrogen advocates point out that fuel-cell vehicles use the same kind of electric motors as battery cars, and that the two technologies can support each other. But E.V. supporters, many of whom supported an unsuccessful attempt last May by Energy Secretary Steven Chu to cut $100 million in fuel-cell money, would like to see hydrogen permanently defunded.