Hydrogen Mobility vs. Platinum Reality - CleanTechnica

The article "Hydrogen Mobility vs. Platinum Reality" from CleanTechnica highlights significant challenges facing hydrogen fuel cell technology in transportation, particularly due to its reliance on platinum. Alstom’s hydrogen-powered Coradia iLint trains, which use fuel cells supplied by Cummins, have faced operational setbacks in Germany, with many trains reverting to diesel because replacement fuel cells are unavailable. This issue is not merely a supply chain problem but points to a deeper structural constraint: the critical dependence on platinum, a scarce and expensive metal essential for the fuel cells’ catalytic function. Each train’s fuel cells require about 0.2 kg of platinum, costing roughly $8,700 at current prices, which is a significant factor given the limited global platinum production. Platinum’s unique catalytic properties enable the fundamental reactions in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, splitting hydrogen molecules and facilitating the combination of oxygen, protons, and electrons to produce electricity efficiently and durably. This indispensable role means fuel cells cannot