Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cells have been used for a number of years to generate electricity in spacecraft and emergency generators.  Using hydrogen in fuel cells is more efficient that using hydrogen in combustion engines.  Electricity is produces in a fuel cell through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.  This reaction produces no harmful emissions.  The hydrogen can be stored in the vehicle in pressurized tanks. 

The electricity produces from this chemical reaction is then stored in batteries and or super capacitors.  This electricity is then used to power the vehicles electric motor which propels the vehicle. 

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will help reduce fossil fuel consumption and immediately reduce emissions which reduce greenhouse gases.  Numerous advances technology must occur in batteries, ultra capacitors, fuel storage, and complex electronic controls before milestones are crossed with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 

Fuel cells are highly efficient but hydrogen has low volumetric energy density at ambient conditions.  Energy is required to compress or liquefy hydrogen for transport in vehicle fuel storage tanks which increases the cost of the fuel.  

Currently fuel cells are costly to manufacture and are very fragile which would not be suitable for a vehicle.  Recently a nickel tin catalyst has been under development which may lower cost and be more durable for uses in vehicles.

A hydrogen fuel infrastructure would need to be created to supply hydrogen vehicles.  The state of California is developing plans for such an infrastructure to be place in their state.

President George Bush declared in his 2003 State of the Union message that “America can lead the world in developing clean, hydrogen powered automobiles”.  All automakers are announcing heavy investment their own hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology.  

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Hydrogen Index