by James Apple

Created on: March 04, 2007   Last Updated: April 23, 2007

A hydrogen fuel cell car uses hydrogen as its fuel source instead of gasoline. Instead of burning fuel like a typical car, a hydrogen fuel cell car relies on an electric motor. The motor is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The hydrogen fuel cell combines hydrogen from the tank with oxygen from the air. The result is electricity to run the motor, and water which is the only exhaust.

COST
The main drawback of a hydrogen fuel cell car is the cost. A hydrogen fuel cell costs about $800 per horsepower, so a fuel cell for a 100 horsepower car (somewhat weak by today's standards) would cost about $80,000. The price, however, is coming down, as production is increasing and new manufacturing techniques are being used.

SAFETY
A hydrogen fuel cell car can be safer than a gasoline-powered car, even in a fire. This is because hydrogen is lighter than air. If there is a hydrogen leak, the hydrogen immediately dissipates away from a car. If a gasoline car has a leak, then the an explosive pool of gasoline forms below the vehicle. Hydrogen tanks are designed to meet incredible standards, including being dropped onto concrete from several stories up, and being dragged on pavement at full freeway speed.

ENVIRONMENT
A hydrogen fuel cell car is pollution-free because the only thing that comes out its exhaust pipe is water. However, the process for producing hydrogen generally creates pollution. Currently, most hydrogen is reformed from gasoline or natural gas, and pollution is made in the process. Hydrogen can be made using solar power, but this is more expensive.

Hydrogen fuel cell cars do not solve all of our environmental problems, and they are still very expensive. The advantage of hydrogen is that it can be made in a variety of ways. We will never again be dependent on other countries for our fuel because the hydrogen can be made right here in America using whatever energy source we prefer: petroleum, natural gas, coal, wind power, solar power, tidal power, etc.

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