Hydrogen Cars Get Fuel Cell Funding

By: Susan Harris
Staff Writer
Published: Oct 19, 2009

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Burn Cleaner Fuel

Hydrogen cars are powered by fuel cells and an electric motor. These hydrogen vehicles could offer consumers 74 MPG (miles per gallon) or more. Automobiles that run on fuel cells also provide 20 percent more fuel efficiency and include a powertrain that is 45 percent more compact.

Hydrogen automobiles might be a few years ahead of its time. Consumers will have legitimate questions on how to refuel the car. The method of substituting gasoline with hydrogen in a fuel cell car does have its pros and cons.

There is one thing certain, which involves cleaner technology, is that hydrogen fuel cell is probably the cleanest alternative to gas because it emits only water vapor into the air. Hydrogen vehicles are also used in buses in metropolitan cities to help reduce emissions. While the fuel cell is not a new technology, it can help to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

A fuel cell vehicle is powered by an electric motor running on electricity generated by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell stack. The electric motor is used to reduce the amount of CO2 being released in our atmosphere. The compact coaxial motor is quieter and can run at higher RPM.

For energy efficiency and speed, most of the new hydrogen cars use a lithium-ion battery pack which captures lost energy during deceleration and braking. The battery is lightweight and smaller than traditional hybrid cars. It is usually located under the rear seat of the vehicle in an effort to provide more trunk space.

There is still the concern with hydrogen safety. Hydrogen automakers are placing sensors located throughout the car to provide a warning in the event of a hydrogen leak. Should such a leak occur, the ventilation system is activated and an automatic system closes the main cut-off valves on the hydrogen tank.

The high-voltage lines are electrically isolated. In the event of a collision, the system controller automatically shuts off the flow of hydrogen and electric current. Also, to prevent reverse flow from the tank, the hydrogen filler inlet has an integrated check valve.

Last week, the Senate approved $187 million for research on hydrogen vehicles. This funding is part of a larger appropriation bill the House has already passed. President Obama is expected to sign the bill in the coming days. Funding the research into hydrogen fuel cell technology has been controversial. The vehicles aren't as popular as hybrids and there are only 200 of these hydrogen automobiles currently on the road in the United States.