It’s not Halo, but damn it’s cool! Hydrogen cars

bmw-hydrogen-race-car

Hydrogen could be the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, but roadblocks in utilizing this energy source as a fuel for cars has discouraged companies to engineer vehicles that can run on it for the general public. Until now.

Hydrogen-powered vehicle technology has been around since the first part of the 19th century, but hydrogen has a lower energy content per unit volume than more traditional fuel sources. Because it takes more hydrogen to power a vehicle with engine design as we know it, the cost of transporting this fuel is also higher. To cut down on storage space, hydrogen is turned into a liquid, using a compressor that resembles a  jet engine. High storage pressures increase the potential for danger, further complicating issues surrounding storing it, and then there’s the issue of how to dispense gaseous or liquid hydrogen into vehicles.

Today, most hydrogen cars in existence are concept cars. Some use the hydrogen much like a typical car uses gas from the local Conoco, by burning it in an internal combustin engine. Others are using what is known as a fuel cell, which reacts hydrogen with oxygen to run electric motors.

Regardless of  the process, hydrogen used for this purpose doesn’t rely on fossil fuel and doesn’t contribute to polluting our atmosphere. Instead, the byproduct is steam. Concern over limited fuel and a higher awareness for our environment and the effects pollution has on our health has sparked a movement for the consumer to be attracted to products that are considered eco-friendly.

Because of this shift in what is considered ideal for a vehicle, car companies are putting more effort into developing this futuristic, fuel-efficient and eco-friendlier car, and BMW is collaborating with Toyota, who is leading the market in hydrogen technology. Both companies plan to have hydrogen cars on the market in 2015.

 

Sources: HowStuffWorks.com, Wikipedia – Liquid hydrogen, Wikipedia – Hydrogen vehicle, newsoxy.com – BMW Hydrogen Cars Collaboration with Toyota

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