Although considered a cutting edge technology by most, fuel cells were invented in 1839. Hydrogen fuel cells work by combining hydrogen and oxygen and can potentially help to replace fossil fuel consumption, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The only practical hydrogen fuel cell that is currently used--or that has the ability to be practically used--in automobiles is the Proton Exchange Membrane hydrogen fuel cell, or PEM. They are priced at about $36,000 each.
Pilot stations where vehicles can fill up their hydrogen powered cars are very limited across the country. Since the choice is limited, refilling prices can vary from $1 to $20 per kilo of hydrogen.
The Department of Energy estimates that if roughly 40 percent of America's lightweight vehicles were to use hydrogen fuel cells, the cost would be an estimated $500 billion.
The problem with the cost of mass use of hydrogen fuel cells is due to the development issues. People are hesitant to purchase vehicles that operate on this modern technology since there's not an infrastructure in place to refuel them--which slows down funding for the research of fuel cell technology.
Research is another area where money is consistently invested--especially from automakers. As of 2010, over $1 billion in research and development has been invested in hydrogen fuel cells. These include governments and automakers, such as Mercedes, GM and Honda.
