The new gold standard

SIR: I was pleased to read that fuel cells may be used to power cars in the future (Motoring, January issue). Given that they transform one element into another, there is sure to be a large demand. After all, hydrogen to oxygen conversion is far more difficult than to convert base metal (scrap) into gold. How soon should we expect the market price of gold to plunge? Glynn Nash, Teynham, Kent.