Hydrogen Powered Cars – The Fuel-Efficient Cars
Standing on the phase where the fuel depletion is the major problem of all country, Hydrogen Powered cars had come as blessing. Hydrogen Powered Cars are now denoted as cars of the future though it’s invention can be traced back in past. In 1807 Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first Hydrogen car but it had some problem and not even patented. Many experiments were taken in this field from then on and finally in 1970 Paul Dieges patented the invention.
Some of the Hydrogen Powered Cars use hydrogen fuel cell while some have converted gasoline powered combustion engine. Fiberforge manufactured the earliest Hydrogen Powered Car; they called it as “Revolution”. Experiment came out as a method of producing ultra-lightweight automobiles using carbon composites. But it too faced many problems. They realized that they have to reduce the weight of the car for better fuel mileage.
There are many big companies in market who want to take advantage of this fuel crisis. Audi, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, BMW are just few companies who are planning to launch Hydrogen Powered Cars. BMW HR2 claims to be “world’s fastest hydrogen car” exceeding 185mph. It does not operate on fuel cell. It uses modified 6-litre, 12 cylinder combustion engine for its propulsion. While Honda claims to make more efficient fuel cell car that can go 220 miles before it need next refueling as compared to 90 miles per tank limit for the Mercedes. Mercedes F600 Hygenius Concept Car is powered by hydrogen fuel cell and uses regenerative braking to recapture energy and recharge batteries.
In 2005 Honda gave first glimpse of Hydrogen Powered car, FCX, which was not more than a prototype. The car was never placed in the market. Honda is now coming with its new FCX Clarity, which runs on hydrogen and electricity, with light body weight and more interior room. They are planning to place more than 200 cars on road in coming three years. John Mendel, executive vice president at America Honda Motor Company, called on this occasion “an especially significant day for American Honda as we plant firm footsteps towards the main streaming of fuel cell cars.”
Pros and cons: –
Hydrogen Powered Cars are fuel-efficient cars. Chemical energy of hydrogen converted in fuel power in internal engine as it reacts in fuel cell with oxygen. Hydrogen fuel is energy carrier and not the source. Electrolysis of water is being used to produce fuel. The only by product it give is water. Thus it is eco-friendly with zero emission. It will save money on fuel and also lessen our dependence on OPEC. It will increase car performance as well as gas mileage. And to promote these cars, buyers will receive nice tax break.
The Hydrogen Powered Cars face some challenges too. The consumers have to pay huge amount to posses one of these cars. Therefore manufacturers have to use less expensive technology without ignoring the safety measures. There have to be adequate refueling stations so that consumers do not face any problem. California is the leading country in building refueling stations. 20% of the cars manufactured by America are purchased by Californian.
