Most Read
Most E-mailed
E-mail Article
Print Article![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
Hydrogen-based fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are supposed to be a big part of the answer to the growing energy crisis—a clean, efficient mode of transportation.
And it would be tougher to find a more promising solution. As the most abundant element on the planet, hydrogen is not hard to find. Additionally, electricity used in hydrogen fuel cells can be produced by a number of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water and geothermal power, and once produced; hydrogen can be stored and used when needed.
So what’s the hold-up?
Hydrogen FCVs may yet fulfill their great promise, but it clearly is going to take some time and considerable effort. The good news is big OEMs like Honda, GM and Toyota all have fuel cell vehicles on the road being driven by consumers in large-scale tests.
On the flip side, the average consumer probably won’t be able to afford one until next decade, as government and industry officials try to figure out how to solve some large looming problems like low storage capacity, high production costs and most importantly, a severe lack of infrastructure.
Pros and Cons
Considering the ongoing spike of fuel prices and increased concern about harmful emissions, FCVs almost seem too good to be true—their mix of hydrogen and oxygen produces wanted electricity, while the only by-product is water.
According to the Department of Energy, hydrogen-powered FCVs are two to three times more efficient that internal combustion engines, and fuel cell systems can be designed to fit almost any shape or body style—instead of one large electric motor, it uses four smaller motors connected directly to each wheel.
Fuel cells can also provide much more electric power than the 12-volt batteries in conventional vehicles, so they can handle more powerful and sophisticated electronics—some vehicle manufacturers are designing vehicles that use electronic steering and braking. FCVs can also come with regenerative braking systems, which capture energy that is otherwise lost during braking and store it in a battery.
