Despite all the advantages of hydrogen and the disadvantages of fossil fuels, policy makers drag their feet to make the switch. Those who make money from coal and oil don't want to give up their dirty but lucrative enterprises. Politicians don't want to lose taxes streaming in from the fossil fuel industry, and they don't want to annoy the electorate with costs needed for the switch to hydrogen. They wait for the day when fossil fuel will hurt people so much that they will cry out for change to renewable energy. Then the politicians can step forward as the saviors of planet earth and keep voters on their side.

When and how will fossil fuel hurt people so much that they will demand change? It will happen when:

These three (money, safety, and health) will squeeze the throats of people until they give in -- willing to pay the price for sensible change. Then the politicians will act, and then the oil and coal industry will invest on great scale in renewable energy. What a tragedy that we have to let things go so far before we do the right thing.

Maybe, just maybe, entrepreneurs with a vision will start on their own to modify cars to run on hydrogen, produce hydrogen economically, and erect filling stations. It may start in large metropolitan centers and gradually spread over the country. History will remember the pioneers.