Comment Re:Gasoline (Score 2, Interesting) 908
First, hydrogen has an energy density of 142 MJ/kg, whereas your gasoline is 45.8.
Second, huge amounts (~70%) of the energy in a tank of gasoline is wasted as heat, whereas a motor can convert closer to 80 or 90% into motion. So we can slash the tank size if we're not going to burn two thirds of it.
Third: why hot swap batteries? They're big and heavy. A small, ultra-high capacity capacitor can actually hold very high potential for quite awhile, and can charge in seconds.
I appreciate that the simplicity of gasoline and it's relatively high energy density was indeed the best thing for the last century, allowing energy to be moved and used anywhere anytime with relatively simple machines. But I think to assume that because it was the best means it is the best and to ignore newer technologies is to miss a possible solution to a looming catastrophe as the days of the petroleum based economy are certainly dwindling.