Can fuel cells be used in automobiles?

Fuel cell vehicles (FCV) use fuel cells to power the vehicle’s electric motor. Many FCVs use a fuel cell combined with a battery and supercapacitor to efficiently start-up, power, and utilize the best energy source for constant and peak power.

What type of fuel cell is used in cars?

The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In a PEM fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode).

Are hydrogen fuel cell cars a bad idea?

The widespread introduction of hydrogen fuel cell cars is a bad idea, writes Zachary Shahan, editor of Cleantechnica.com. According to Shahan, hydrogen fuel cell cars will never be able to compete with battery-electric cars.

What is a fuel cell car?

Fuel cell cars are very similar to traditional gasoline powered cars. Similar to today’s gasoline vehicles, fuel cell electric cars can have a driving range of more than 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen fuel. They can refuel in just a few minutes and the fueling experience is almost identical to a gas station.

What is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)?

The Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) was once touted as the future for passengers’ cars, and some experts are still promoting the idea. The concept has many positive features. The car runs on pressurized hydrogen obtained from a fueling station and offers a similar driving distance to gasoline.

What are the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells?

As with fuel cells, the main waste product is water, not carbon dioxide. Also, unlike gasoline, hydrogen burns well in “fuel-lean conditions,” where there’s a lot more oxygen than fuel. That’s good for fuel efficiency and also vastly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. How about using hydrogen in stationary applications?