Hydrogen-powered cars are still currently under the development stage. A hydrogen car runs mainly on either a hydrogen fuel source like that of an internal combustion engine, or on a fuel cell like that of an electric car.

Hydrogen comes in abundance in many of the things we could see today, most especially petroleum. It is a very light gas that is flammable and could be used as a fuel source, or could be directly burned in a way similar to that in conventional internal combustion engines.

How It Works

Hydrogen could be utilized to power cars in two known methods. It could either be used as a fuel cell or as a direct fuel.

Fuel Cells

When hydrogen is used as a fuel cell, it works in the same way that batteries work. A chemical reaction is utilized to be able to generate electricity. The electricity produced in the reaction will then be used to power electric motors just like in the electric motor systems of battery-operated electric cars. In the case of a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen, producing electricity in the process and water as a by-product.

Direct Combustion

Another way of using hydrogen to power cars is through direct combustion using slightly modified internal combustion engines. The concept of hydrogen combustion in engines is virtually the same as in those of conventional gasoline cars except for a few minor changes to the system. Hydrogen fuel requires less storage space and allow for increased vehicle loads.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantage of using hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen as fuel in cars is that of reduced direct carbon dioxide emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells do not need any combustion of carbon-based fuels to move the car, but generates electricity using a chemical reaction.

This technology has many drawbacks, too. Hydrogen is naturally a very light element, and has a very low density, so its energy per volume is quite low compared to other petroleum fuel sources. Another drawback is that hydrogen fuel cells are very costly to produce and storing technologies are still not available for cost-effective mass production.

In terms of using hydrogen as fuel in a combustion process, the large storage space and weight issues also make this technology unfit to be considered as a solid and dependable alternative to fossil fuel consumption. Although Hydrogen could easily be produced using renewable energy sources such as solar energy, its production would still be increasing fossil fuel dependence as petroleum is one of the major sources of hydrogen.

Applications

The hydrogen fuel cell or hydrogen power technology in vehicles is still in its early stages, and more research and development is required before it could be fully implemented and utilized. As of today, plans to use hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel include applications in the public transportation sector. This plan is in line with efforts to reduce emission gases and air pollutants.