The cost of operation projected for a fuel cell automobile could be as much as 1-2¢/mi less than for a comparable internal combustion engine car or an all-battery car, assuming energy raw material cost equilibrated at 10$/bbl crude oil equivalent. Fuel cost is a small but significant element in total operating cost. Therefore, the projected cost advantage of the fuel cell automobile increases with increasing cost of fossil fuel, because of the higher energy efficiency projected for the fuel cell automobile.