How Hydrogen Powers Vehicles

While supporters of hydrogen-fuelled cars highlight the eco-friendly byproduct released by it and the need to be independent of fossil fuels, the opponents criticize the move of ignoring the greater picture.


This article aims to highlight the different aspects of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
The first technique employs hydrogen internal combustion engines to burn hydrogen producing heat and water vapor.


Another way of employing hydrogen as a green fuel takes advantage of the fuel cells, wherein hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water and electricity, with the electricity forced to power an electric traction motor that powers the engine.
The advantages of energy, give the vehicle without producing carbon emissions, supporters of hydrogen as fuel hydrogen vehicles on the headlights on the ability of hydrogen to the cast.
The byproduct of the reaction, water, can by no means cause harm to the environment.
Another fact that makes hydrogen is the popular abundance of hydrogen in the atmosphere.
It can be found in water, fossil fuels, alcohols and many more sources, reducing the chances for its complete depletion.
It is also found as free in nature.
There is no dependence for supplies from other countries as in the case when fossil fuels are absent.
The property of hydrogen to bond easily with other elements makes the task of acquiring it in the pure form an expensive undertaking.
Typically, electrolysis of water and reforming natural gas are the popular ways employed for separating it in its pure form.
With cylinders being bulky, many are not interested in this as a form of alternative energy.

Today many companies like Ford and Renault-Nissan have withdrawn their efforts on developing hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
Companies such as Daimler and Hyundai, however are on the way for mass production of FC vehicles through the road around 2012.


A successful solution that will be capable of separating hydrogen producing maximum power will indeed be an essential breakthrough that this industry is looking forward to.