The high cost and limited range of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles have made it an unpopular alternative to traditional hybrid and electric vehicles. Hyundai launched its Tucson FCV this summer. The company plans to sell 60 of these vehicles in Southern California this year. Toyota and Honda have also announced plans to launch fuel cell vehicles. BMW is expected to announce a prototype fuel cell drive module soon. Other automakers are also testing fuel cell vehicles.
Hybrid fuel cell vehicle
A hybrid fuel cell vehicle, or FCV, is a car that uses hydrogen as its primary energy source. The hydrogen is sold at hydrogen refueling stations, which can fill a fuel cell vehicle in under 10 minutes. The fuel cell vehicle is similar to a conventional gas or diesel car, but the driving range is longer. This makes fuel cell vehicles a better choice than battery-electric vehicles.
The cost of fuel cell systems is likely to come down as the market grows, with efficiencies in both manufacturing and infrastructure. While fuel cells are still expensive, the costs of hydrogen fuel cells could be four times lower than battery-electric vehicles. And, the hydrogen that is used in these vehicles is abundant – it’s the most abundant resource in the universe.
Hybridization of fuel cells improves the efficiency of the entire drive train, which includes the fuel cells. In addition to reducing fuel cell stress, hybrid fuel cell vehicles feature different drive train arrangements. Using these differences, researchers can compare the efficiency of hybrid fuel cell vehicles with conventional and hybrid electric vehicles, and compare the fuel economy of fuel cell vehicles with those of the future.
While fuel cell powered vehicles offer clean and renewable energy, they have a high capital cost. This means that they should not be used as the only option for power. However, the fuel cell power unit can be hybridized with a low-cost energy storage device. This allows the fuel cell system to draw from the battery during high demand, such as deceleration and acceleration.
Toyota and other manufacturers are attempting to make fuel cell vehicles commercially available. They have already produced several prototypes and have limited commercial launches. The Toyota FCV is based on the Toyota Highlander SUV, and has onboard tanks of compressed hydrogen to provide electricity. In addition to hydrogen, the vehicle also uses a nickel-metal hydride battery wired in parallel.
Zero-emission vehicle
Toyota has unveiled its Zero-Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) at its annual conference. Previously, it had only been shown in Japan. Now, it plans to sell the FCV in California. Its first production FCVs should be available in California by summer 2015.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a cleaner form of energy. They do not emit harmful tailpipe emissions, and require no land to produce. In fact, NASA has been researching the use of hydrogen as a fuel and is using the water produced as a byproduct as drinking water for astronauts. They are superior to natural gas, coal, and nuclear power in many ways.
Hydrogen-fuel cell vehicles are similar to electric vehicles. Both use an electric motor to power the vehicle instead of an internal combustion engine. Unlike electric vehicles, which rely on a battery to recharge, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles generate electricity onboard. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen gas from waste sites and agricultural sources, and they produce water, heat, and electricity as byproducts.
While the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is still in its early stages, it is already being tested and designed for safety. It has standard safety features and a carbon-fiber-wrapped on-board fuel storage tank. Furthermore, it is DOT-approved, so it is safe to operate.
As hydrogen fuel cell vehicles become more common, costs will fall. They are expected to cost about four times less than lithium-ion batteries and offer a greater range. While GM and Ford have not yet released a commercial fuel cell vehicle, they have formed a joint venture with Honda to produce fuel cell stacks at a facility in Michigan. They hope to begin building fuel cell vehicles at that facility by 2020.
High cost
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a great option for those concerned about the environment, the high cost of hydrogen fuel is a major obstacle for them to be adopted commercially. Hydrogen refueling stations are needed to make hydrogen fuel cell vehicles viable. According to a study by H2 Tools, over 492 hydrogen refueling stations will be in operation around the world by 2021.
Fuel cells are not currently available for sale in the United States, and even automakers are not sure if the cost will be affordable by 2025. Automakers have been funding research on fuel cell technology for about 15 years, and are considering the benefits of hydrogen powertrains. However, fuel cells are not yet commercially viable, and storage facilities and hydrogen fuel stations are difficult to come by outside of California.
Another major obstacle is the cost of production. While hydrogen is abundantly available in nature, producing it for use in cars is expensive. Even if it is cheap to produce, hydrogen requires a large amount of energy and is not renewable. This means that fuel cell vehicles will continue to be expensive for consumers, as their production and storage costs will remain prohibitive. However, hydrogen is a clean source of energy and can reduce GHG emissions by almost 100%.
Fuel cell vehicles have a high upfront cost, and a relatively low demand. However, the cost will come down as the market grows and manufacturers develop infrastructure and supply a greater number of fuel cells. For example, Honda has a commitment to building hydrogen infrastructure for their vehicles. With a commitment of this size, there should be a demand for hydrogen fuel cells in the future.
Limited range
Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen as a source of energy. These vehicles have similar ranges to conventional fossil fuel vehicles and can travel up to 300 miles. They also have shorter charging times and are less affected by outside temperature. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also have the advantage of being silent. They also offer loads of torque and acceleration. But they do have some drawbacks.
Hydrogen is a renewable resource that can be produced locally, making it a viable alternative to diesel in remote areas. This also reduces the need for transportation of fuel. Hydrogen is also non-polluting and a readily available natural resource. Compared to fossil fuel vehicles, hydrogen can reduce the need for expensive fossil fuels.
Fuel cell vehicles are still in their early stages, so they aren’t widely available yet. However, some carmakers are trying to improve their technology. Hyundai, for example, introduced hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in California this spring. Toyota, on the other hand, plans to introduce a fuel cell sedan in late 2015, and Honda is working on a hydrogen fuel cell car. Other carmakers such as Ford and Nissan have also started testing fuel cell versions of their vehicles.
Fuel cell cars are a better alternative to conventional vehicles due to their higher range. Unlike battery electrics, fuel cell vehicles don’t require constant charging. At a hydrogen station, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can be refueled in as little as five minutes. Because hydrogen does not store electricity like batteries, they have a much longer range than battery-electric cars.
The success of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is dependent on the willingness of stakeholders to invest in the technology. Honda, Toyota, and other car companies have sold thousands of Clarity fuel cell vehicles in the past four years, and are pursuing multiple zero emission vehicle pathways. The companies are working with government agencies, energy companies, and NGOs to develop a hydrogen infrastructure. They are also building hydrogen refueling stations around the world.
Safety
While a gasoline combustion vehicle can burn down, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can’t. The hydrogen fuel tank is made of a highly durable carbon fiber material that has been tested to ensure safety. It has been made to be highly resistant to bullets, so it won’t explode if hit. In addition, the hydrogen tank is protected by a fire-proof coating, which means it’s much safer than a gasoline-powered car.
There are some concerns about the safety of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. First, there is the potential for a hydrogen leak. While hydrogen is flammable at a relatively low concentration, gasoline is two to three times more explosive. Secondly, hydrogen has a lower energy density than gasoline. In addition, hydrogen is lighter than air, so it disperses quickly if a leak occurs.
Another major concern is the potential for a hydrogen accident. Hydrogen has a low ignition point, which presents a unique safety risk. That’s why hydrogen fuel cells need a hydrogen delivery system before they can be used widely in cars. This means a network of pipelines and truck transport systems, hydrogen generation plants, and hydrogen fuel stations. In addition, these systems must be secure and safe.
Hydrogen is an abundant alternative fuel, but there are several concerns with its use. The gas is flammable, and it can cause electrocution and electrical shock. It’s a potential danger that has been discussed for years, but hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a viable alternative. These cars use the chemical energy contained in the gas and convert it to electrical energy through an electrochemical process.
Besides being lighter, hydrogen fuel cells can be safer than conventional fuels. Though hydrogen fuel cells produce high voltage, the dangers they pose are minor compared to what you’d face with conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.
