AIthough it seems like everyone is setting their sights on battery-electric vehicles BEVs( to enable us to reach the point where all cars are emissions-free, they are by no means the only solution, and not necessarily the most effective. Hydrogen is a different source of clean energy that could help countries realise their green ambitions quicker and more affordably.
Given that hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe being found in water, for example( and can hold energy in a similar way to petrol and diesel, its potential as a fuel for vehicles is almost limitless in theory.
It can be fed directly into suitable internal combustion engines, or it can be combined with oxygen in an on-board fuel cell to produce electricity, with the only byproducts being water and heat. And although it has a lower energy density than petrol and diesel when it’s burnt directly, the best hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles FCEVs( can convert up to 80% of the energy they create into propulsion, versus around 40% for petrol and diesel.
So, why isn’t hydrogen fuel used much more widely already? Well, hydrogen has to be extracted from other things such as water or natural gas( via electrolysis, and this process is not only expensive and time consuming but also requires a lot of energy in itself. In the past, this has mostly come from gasfired power stations, but the necessary energy can now be generated sustainably at solar, wind or nuclear-powered sites. Safety is also an issue; the compressed hydrogen is stored at very high pressures, so FCEVs’ fuel tanks have to be immensely strong and able to withstand crashes.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2023-Ausgabe von What Car? UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2023-Ausgabe von What Car? UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Vauxhall Mokka 1.2 Turbo 136 GS
The Mokka is hot stuff in the sales charts, but does it deserve to be everyone's cup of tea? Let's find out
MG 4 VS TESLA MODEL 3 DO YOU GET MORE FOR LESS?
The new MG 4 Extended Range costs thousands less than the cheapest Tesla Model 3, yet it has a longer official range. Is that game over for the Tesla?
SAVER OF THE MONTH
These plug-in hybrid SUVS can all save you money on running costs, especially if you're a company car driver But which one will net you the most interest in return?
VOLVO EX30
As the Swedish brand enters uncharted territory with its smallest electric SUV yet, we ask the members of our reader jury to issue their verdicts
Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Small electric hatchback is brought up to date, gaining a slightly bigger battery option On sale Now Price from £32,445
Peugeot e-308
New electric family hatchback puts a French twist on the Vauxhall Astra Electric's recipe On sale Now Price from £40,050
BMW iX2
Electric coupé SUV promises up to 279 miles of range and will be joined by a new petrol-engined X2 On sale March 2024 Price from £56,540
Volkswagen ID Golf
Popular family hatchback gets electric power for an official range of up to 400 miles On sale 2027 Price from 33,000 est)
Citroën e-C3
Small hatchback is reinvented with electric power and an affordable price On sale Early 2024 Price from £22,000 (est)
BMW i5
Electric version of BMW's next 5 Series executive car guns for the Mercedes-Benz EQE On sale Now Price from £74,105