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The widespread use of hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles and in the home is starting to look increasingly feasible, in light of recent technological advances. The benefits would be enormous, as hydrogen is the most plentiful element in the universe, and the only by-products of the chemical reaction that takes place within the cells are steam and water. And yet, producing hydrogen is itself energy-intensive, and building the infrastructure for a hydrogen-based energy economy will be enormously expensive. Will governments, companies and taxpayers be prepared to foot the bill, or will technical glitches, prohibitive costs and vested interests mean that the hydrogen solution remains wishful thinking?