Why Hydrogen Cars May Not Be The Best Idea

[DonRocks]

[The Hersch]

Would you rather be killed by a hydrogen fire or a gasoline fire?

[DonRocks]

Would you rather be killed by a hydrogen fire or a gasoline fire?

I would rather not be killed by any fire.

Hydrogen has a lower ignition temperature - I was told by an expert in the field (without an agenda) that hydrogen is a very risky fuel, and she was actually the one who brought up the Hindenburg.

[The Hersch]

I can't pretend to any particular knowledge of relative fuel safety. I do gather, though, that most of the fatalities in the Hindenburg disaster were the result of people on board jumping out. Most of the people who remained on board survived, if I understand correctly, because hydrogen is the lightest stuff in the universe (as well as the commonest), and the flames all floated up away from the passenger gondola.

I agree, though; I'd rather not die in any kind of fire. I'm not especially afraid of fire, but I'm terrified of, say, buildings or vehicles on fire, because they kill you.

[Al Dente]

Fire bad!

[dcs]

On 6/5/2015 at 10:04 PM, The Hersch said:

I can't pretend to any particular knowledge of relative fuel safety. I do gather, though, that most of the fatalities in the Hindenburg disaster were the result of people on board jumping out. Most of the people who remained on board survived, if I understand correctly, because hydrogen is the lightest stuff in the universe (as well as the commonest), and the flames all floated up away from the passenger gondola.

On a more positive note, I read that food on the Hindenburg was actually quite good.  The Brief, Wondrous, High-Flying Era of Zeppelin Dining, The Hindenburg’s fattened ducklings and caviar were essentially German propaganda, by Natasha Frost, October 18, 2017, on atlasobscura.com.

[DonRocks]

6 minutes ago, dcs said:

On a more positive note, I read that food on the Hindenburg was actually quite good.  

This made me laugh out loud.