Electric vehicles are gaining popularity year on year, they have been hailed as our best alternative to fossil fuel burning cars. With each passing year the distance a single charge can cover increases, as does the number of recharging points. As it stands, it looks like electric vehicles are here to stay and will most likely be the common car of the future.
But electric isn’t our only option. We also have hydrogen powered engines which, due to the nature of hydrogen, are technically the least polluting engines available. This is primarily because rather than exhaust fumes and CO2 emissions coming out the back, the only bi-product is water.
So why aren’t we using hydrogen?
It’s not quite that simple. Whilst on the surface it appears that hydrogen is super green and therefore the most viable option, there are several other factors that need to be considered.
Is it really a green alternative?
This is up for debate because the actual process of turning hydrogen into electricity is simple and clean which boosts its environmental credentials. The problem lies in extracting hydrogen to be used as a fuel source. Because pure hydrogen does not occur naturally on Earth in large quantities, it usually requires a primary energy input to produce on an industrial scale. Currently, we use a process in which we release hydrogen from methane. This process, unfortunately, also releases carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. There is a greener alternative however that is currently being refined which involves using electrolysis or steam-methane reforming which can be done using renewable energy such as wind or solar.
Storage isn’t so simple
Let’s say that we found a green, cheap way to extract hydrogen. Our next challenge is storing said hydrogen. The biggest problem with hydrogen is that it is a slippery molecule. It likes to escape and does so with distressing ease and speed. Storage systems for hydrogen would have to meet very strict guidelines to ensure that they are built to extraordinary tolerances. Electric batteries and petrol do not suffer from this issue. Petrol can be stored in a bucket and will not escape unless you knock the bucket over. Likewise, we have power sockets, but you never see electricity pouring out of them as it escapes.
Distribution would be difficult
Once that hurdle is overcome, the next issue would be distribution. As it stands, there is no infrastructure for hydrogen distribution or transportation. To implement this type of network would take a lot of money. Another issue would lie with developers of hydrogen vehicles as they would most likely make the fuelling nozzles unique to their brand of car. This could result in drivers finding it difficult to fill up their cars due to the lack of a nozzle that fits. Drivers would also need to understand that filling up on hydrogen won’t be the same as filling up with petrol. Whereas petrol simply requires putting the nozzle in the hole and pressing the lever, hydrogen would require a flush fitting nozzle that needs to be locked into position to prevent hydrogen escaping.
Expense
At the current rate of development, hydrogen fuelled cars are expensive. The cost to implement the necessary infrastructure would be expensive and due to the nature of extracting hydrogen, the fuel will also be expensive.
Human Fear Factor
Inevitably, there will be someone who starts shouting ‘Hindenburg’ and start implying hydrogen cars are dangerous. In fact, hydrogen is less volatile than petrol. But human fear could be overpowering and lead to a refusal by the public to take up such a new and ‘dangerous’ technology.
As we can see, hydrogen fuelled vehicles still have a long way to go before they can become serious contenders in humanities quest for greener transport. As with any new or emerging technology though, costs will fall, and the processes will become more economic and streamlined. If companies continue to put money into research and development of hydrogen cars, they may still have a future yet.
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