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What are the Advantages of Hydrogen Fueled Cars?

Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen

The main advantage provided by hydrogen fueled cars is a lowered dependence on fossil fuels. This can provide a number of environmental benefits as well as localized advantages to some countries. Since hydrogen fueled cars do not burn fossil fuels, limited resources can be redirected towards other uses. Widespread use of cars fueled by hydrogen can also result in less pollution, since these vehicles produce only heat and water as byproducts of operation. Countries that have a high reliance on foreign oil sources can also benefit from these vehicles because they potentially reduce foreign oil dependency.

Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe, and there are a variety of different ways it can be obtained. Most of the available hydrogen sources involve the element being tied up in more complex substances. Some of those sources, such as water, are in high abundance. Other hydrogen sources, such as natural gas, are nonrenewable resources. When hydrogen is extracted from nonrenewable resources, many of the potential advantages are more or less nullified.

Using hydrogen as a vehicle fuel reduces the dependence on fossil fuels.
Using hydrogen as a vehicle fuel reduces the dependence on fossil fuels.

The main challenge in realizing the full potential of hydrogen fueled cars is extracting the fuel source in a clean, renewable manner. In the same way that electric vehicles are a source of pollution if they are charged with electricity from a coal fired power plant, hydrogen that is extracted from that same electricity can also result in pollution. To be considered truly pollution free, the hydrogen needs to be extracted from sources other than natural gas, and the power used to perform the process should also renewable. If these goals are met, hydrogen fueled cars can provide a relatively clean, pollution free method of transportation.

Hydrogen cars do not produce the harmful emissions that gasoline-powered cars produce.
Hydrogen cars do not produce the harmful emissions that gasoline-powered cars produce.

Byproducts of the process that a hydrogen fuel cell uses to generate electricity typically are heat and water. This is unlike a gasoline powered internal combustion engine, which typically emits carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and a variety of particulates that can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. The difference in emissions between these two types of vehicles could result in benefits to both human health and the environment.

Some countries can also benefit from hydrogen fueled cars, in that this alternate fuel source could reduce their dependence on foreign oil. In this case, the source of the hydrogen and the electricity used to produce it may not matter as much as far as pollution is concerned. The more important factor is where the hydrogen comes from, since local sources within a country could allow that nation to import less fossil fuels.

Discussion Comments

jonrss

Does anyone know how difficult it would be to convert all the existing gas stations into stations that dispensed hydrogen for cars? For me this is the biggest stumbling point to the whole idea. Electric cars make sense because there are outlets everywhere. But there are not hydrogen pumps everywhere.

In order for the technology to take off it would have to be convenient to get hydrogen. If it is not possible to retrofit existing gas stations than that would mean a huge new capitol coast for the hydrogen car industry.

chivebasil

Has anyone actually driven in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle? Does it feel any different to drive or to ride in? I have never been in one myself because how often do you really have the opportunity? I don't think I have ever even seen one with my own eyes.

It seems like a cool idea but I am worried that it might become just another failed technology that had some potential but never got the money or attention that it needed to become a widespread piece of technology.

truman12
This article makes an important point when it talks about the energy that is required to make energy. This often gets overlooked. There are clean fuels that can only be produced in a dirty way.

Another example that I heard that always stuck with me involves Valentines day flowers. Most flowers are grown in Africa and shipped to the United States by plane. Some people have chosen to buy locally grown flowers even if they cost a premium price. They have the mistaken belief that the locally grown flowers have a smaller impact on the world's environment.

But flowers cannot grown in February without greenhouses. And greenhouses use a lot of energy that comes from fossil fuels. The amount of energy used to fly the flowers from the warm climates of Africa into the states is probably less than the energy used to run a massive chain of greenhouses.

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    • Using hydrogen as a vehicle fuel reduces the dependence on fossil fuels.
      By: viperagp
      Using hydrogen as a vehicle fuel reduces the dependence on fossil fuels.
    • Hydrogen cars do not produce the harmful emissions that gasoline-powered cars produce.
      By: Mastrofoto
      Hydrogen cars do not produce the harmful emissions that gasoline-powered cars produce.