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I think it's possible for hydrogen to be viable as a net energy loss solution. The trick is to find a cheap, abundant source of electricity to produce the hydrogen, as well as finding more efficient ways to produce the hydrogen.
Iceland is a good test bed for all of this, because they have massive energy reserves and most of it is renewable (hydroelectric and geothermal, if I recall right). With a few gains in photovoltaics and/or wind energy, or a similar cheap and sustainable source of energy, the net loss of hydrogen becomes much less of an issue.
I believe that hydrogen is properly viewed as a form of energy storage, rather than an energy source. This puts it in direct opposition to batteries in terms of transportation. Comparing either to fossil fuels directly becomes a losing proposition, because neither one can claim any real energy efficiency in contrast to that. The expense is variable, and will be reduced as the technology matures. The deciding factor is going to be convenience and simplicity, and I honestly think hydrogen has the edge there.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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