James Menzies - Your Hydrogen Future

It was a long time ago but I still remember when I was in science class in school when my science teacher created hydrogen by using electrolysis. Of course the other element was oxygen, but I was amazed at how hydrogen easily exploded…as proven by the infamous Hindenburg explosion in 1937.  But back then, it was obvious that hydrogen could become a fuel for the future, but there was one problem….or two problems. One…how to create it. My science teacher’s little lab wouldn’t cut it. The other, it’s explosive and difficult to transport.  Yet, hydrogen is becoming more popular as a fuel for cars and trucks, even though there are questions and debates on how to create it….or mine it.  Electrolysis on a grand scale is not an option. The energy needed to create it is greater than the energy that hydrogen provides. Yet hydrogen as a fuel is growing and especially in the transportation industry.  With the high cost of creating it, how is it going to work? Are there more advantages than drawbacks?  Some of you may remember, way back about 8 years ago, I interviewed the former and eventually disgraced CEO at the Nikola Motor Company, Trevor Milton and his grand plans for a hydrogen fleet. His vision didn’t quite work out as expected but Nikola is still around and in fact Wal-Mart Canada has added a Nikola Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV semi-truck to it’s fleet.  Meanwhile, ITD Industries has just opened Ontario’s first commercial fueling station for hydrogen heavy trucks.  This is all positive but I wanted to talk to a guy who had a hands on experience with hydrogen and trucks. It’s our old friend at Truck News Magazine, Editor, James Menzies. Boy, do I have questions!