Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

If you�re looking to drive a car that does not contribute towards global warming, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are probably the hottest ticket. However, this type of clean fuel vehicles are not quite ready for mass use yet � to put it mildly � but as a concept, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are the stuff of green dreams.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles run on hydrogen gas instead of gasoline. Externally, they look the same as a conventional car. But they a component called fuel cell stack that makes all the difference. Its function is to convert hydrogen gas stored onboard with oxygen from the air into electricity to drive the electric motor that propels the vehicle.

Several auto companies manufacture hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These include Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daihatsu, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Mazda, GM, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Nissan and Peugeot, to name but a few.

Refilling is an issue for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at present. In California, for example, there are 23 hydrogen fuel stations for a total of 143 vehicles. But there�s hope. In early 2010, Honda, which makes hydrogen cars, began operation of a next generation solar hydrogen station prototype at its Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., intended for use as a home refueling appliance capable of an overnight refill of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The station is designed as a single, integrated unit to fit in the user's garage that can produce enough hydrogen (0.5kg) via an 8-hour overnight fill for daily commuting (10,000 miles per year).

There are many obstacles to be overcome until hydrogen fuel cell vehicles become a reality for a considerable number of people. Storage systems are too large and expensive, fuel cell systems do not perform well in extreme environments, new delivery systems to bring hydrogen to the consumer will have to be built and there are safety issues related to the handling of compressed hydrogen and its risks that will have to be addressed. But there�s no doubt that hydrogen will have its place in the green economy and its applications.