Competition with incentive programs

Catalyst performance must continually improve to keep a product technically superior. Successful catalyst research programs coupled with production cost minimization may allow a plant to be run at capacity while its competitor shuts down or operates at a lower capacity and reduced profit margin. In many instances, finding the competitive advantage is essential to business survival. Finding or making the most cost-effective catalyst is a strong incentive for catalysis research. 

An energy policy must contemplate and accommodate market realities. An AFV must provide all the customer-desired attributes of conventionally fueled vehicles at a competitive cost, and with minimal inconveniences, such as prolonged refueling time, widespread availability of fuel, and other factors. Financial incentives from governments can be helpful in the introductory phases of an alternative fuel program, but they must have a finite lifetime, and the technology must compete on an even footing in the marketplace if it is to achieve widespread market penetration. 

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