Daihatsu Fuel Cell Technology Eliminates Need for Platinum

Daihatsu Motor Co has come up with a break-through for fuel-cell technology.

Instead of using platinum costing 400,000-500,000 a pop, cobalt and nickel can be used for 400-700 yen.

Suddenly, fuel-cell cars will cost $4000 less!

"The new fuel cell technology was developed with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology."

Instead of using an electrolyte membrane that is highly acidic, thus needing platinum for its anti-corrosive properties -

"Daihatsu uses cobalt and other metals with poor corrosion resistance instead, because its fuel cell technology has an alkaline electrolyte membrane. And hydrazine hydrate is used as a fuel, so there are no carbon dioxide emissions. Daihatsu says fuel handling is easier than with conventional hydrogen cells, with output roughly the same."

If that makes sense to you…please explain it to me. 

The most interested party in this discovery?  Parent Toyota Motor Corp.

If Toyota can produce a low cost car running on fuel cells….It's all over but the s shouting.

How far in the future IS this car of the future?