Even the most environmentally conscience can be excited about hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles. The emissions consist of nothing more than water vapour!
The white clouds of gas wafting from the exhaust of a hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle are in fact nothing but harmless water vapour, giving these cars the greenest ‘street cred’ out there!
Honda are introducing their striking five-seat sedan, the Honda FCX Clarity, which is due to go on sale in Europe later this year. This vehicle uses a hydrogen fuel cell, converting hydrogen into electric power through various chemical reactions. The styling is futuristic, but overall the Clarity still looks like an everyday car.
These hydrogen fuel cells can be found in busses and trucks around the world, but it hasn’t been seen as viable quite yet for your average car. This ultra-clean technology has, unfortunately been held back by cost and infrastructure.
However this seems to be changing, with the development of more powerful batteries used in other electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles may be the future!
As the low range of most electric vehicles is probably the biggest factor influencing sales, manufacturers are taking a look at technology that was once deemed too expensive.
"The fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity. The electricity then powers the electric motor, which in turn propels the vehicle. Water is the only by-product the FCX Clarity FCEV leaves behind," says Honda in publicity material for the Clarity, which was unveiled at last year’s Tokyo motor show.
Hydrogen is easier to store than electricity and FCVs can travel much further without having to stop for fuel. "To get a range of 500 kilometres out of a battery, even a quick charger will need 30 minutes to replenish," said a Honda development man, Thomas Brachmann. "The Clarity can refuel in under three minutes".
However, some experts are unconvinced that hydrogen is the way forward. "Hydrogen can only be called clean if it is created using regenerative energy," said car industry guru Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, who teaches at Duisburg-Essen University. "We are a long way from achieving that."
The lack of infrastructure in terms of hydrogen cell refuelling stations and methods of delivering hydrogen are what most critics have voiced concern over. However these are issues that all electric vehicles face.
Honda plans to sell at least 200 of the Clarity this year, while Toyota is looking to shift 30 000 Mirais.
Source: IOL
