HYDROGEN-POWERED
VEHICLES
By Alex Dahm
Background Info
• Idea fueled by increased attention
to air pollution and fossil fuel
consumption
• Basic technology has existed for
over 100 years, finally being put to
use
• Next big thing in the car industry
(affordable, truly eco-friendly cars)
Tech
• Fuel cells created by William Robert
Grove and Francis Bacon in 18th
and 19th century
• Fuel Cell – Converts hydrogen to
electricity, giving off heat and water
as by-products
• Hydrogen must be seperated from
water molecules via electrolysis
• Seperates the molecule into two
electrodes, which create energy with the
help of a catalyst
• Polymer Exchange Membrane
(PEM) Fuel Cells
• Small, light
• Stackable
Current Models
• Honda FCX Clarity available for
lease only in CA
• Hyundai ix35 first mass produced
fuel cell car, will be out 2015
• Aston Martin Rapide S
• Hydrogen-Powered Race Car
• Shows the potential of Hydrogen Fuel Cell
technology (190 mph)
Advantages/Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
No gasoline usage
High costs to create and buy
60 miles per kilogram of hydrogen
Small fuel range
Create no air pollution
Hydrogen is hard to store in a tank
Over 35% more energy efficient than
gas powered cars
Most of the vehicles are slow, and
have poor acceleration
Fuel Economy Stats
Significance
• Chrysler, Daimler, and Ford, among others, have
committed to developing affordable fuel cell vehicles by
2017
• Possibility of having emission-free cars
• Possibility of ending dependence on foreign oil
• With a few tweaks, these cars could become mainstream
within 10 years
Why Hydrogen Cars Could be the Future
Works Cited
• "Best and Worst Fuel Economy." Best and Worst Fuel Economy. US Department of Energy, 15 Apr.
2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best-worst.shtml>.
• Bowling, Clarke. "Hydrogen Powered Aston Martin Rapide S Hybrid Race Car Burns Rubber, Spits
Water." NY Daily News. NYDailyNews.com, 12 Apr. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/aston-martin-hydrogen-hybrid-racer-burns-rubber-spits-waterarticle-1.1314974>.
• Diep, Francie. "First Mass-Produced Hydrogen Cars Roll Out." Popular Science. Popular Science, 5
Mar. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2013-03/first-factory-producedhydrogen-cars-roll-out>.
• "Hydrogen Car Fuel: 5 Pros and Cons: Price and Performance." CarsDirect. Internet Brands, 4 June
2010. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.carsdirect.com/green-cars/hydrogen-car-fuel-5-pros-andcons-price-and-performance>.
• Kanellos, Michael. "Why Hydrogen Cars Could Still Be The Future." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 30
Jan. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelkanellos/2013/01/30/whyhydrogen-cars-could-still-be-the-future/>.
• Lampton, Christopher. "How Hydrogen Cars Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks, Inc, n.d. Web.
16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/hybrid-technology/hydrogen-cars.htm>.