Fuel cells produce electricity from an external supply of oxygen and fuel such as petrol, methanol, hydrogen or natural gases, and then use this electricity to power a car. Fuel cells are much more efficient than combustion engines, and as they do not contain any major moving parts, they are also extremely reliable.
Hydrogen fuel cells have the benefit of zero-point of use emissions. However, the production of hydrogen requires electricity in itself, which is taken from power plants that do produce emissions.
It is hoped in the future that a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be about 100% more efficient as a similarly sized conventional petrol vehicle, and up to 50% more efficient than a hybrid vehicle.
Favourites (IE)
Print This
Email This
