[Hypx_]

It has the advantage of allowing us to avoid investing in any new manufacturing facilities or new production lines. For some cases, it makes sense.

[perl4ever]

I'd like to know what the advantage is of burning hydrogen compared to just making synthetic hydrocarbon fuel.

I believe it usually uses fossil fuel feedstock but doesn't have to.

[femto]

Lower pollutants [1].

I can't see how burning hydrogen in an engine will compete though, as an electric car is mechanically simpler than a car with an internal combustion engine. As economies of scale build, cars powered by electric motors will undercut internal combustion engines in price and reliability.

[1] https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_benefits.html

[perl4ever]

Hybrids are the future; convince me I'm wrong.

No matter how refined the manufacture of electric cars gets, a hybrid will always reduce the battery capacity needed to a fraction of what it would be otherwise. I believe the typical difference between a plug-in hybrid and full electric is around an order of magnitude.

It is just as irrational to have a battery with a 300 mile capacity as it is to have a gas engine with 300 hp. In either case, you are allowing for the greatest possible need which happens rarely if at all. A hybrid allows you to build both the engine and the battery for the average case which is on the order of 10% of the worst case. This is a huge inherent benefit.

[bobthepanda]

Where are we currently producing any hydrogen fuel in large enough quantities? Or hydrogen fuel tanks?

The engines are not the hard part of the hydrogen car.

[Hypx_]

Electrolysis of water. We'll have more than enough.