The United States is in the midst of a global energy crisis. Breaching the end of their reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal and natural gas, what has emerged is the viable alternative of hydrogen fuel. In fact, hydrogen power was so enticing that the Bush administration pledged $1.2 billion for hydrogen research and development in 2003 (U.S. Department of Energy). So does hydrogen fuel cell technology work? The answer can only be derived from how hydrogen fuel is produced. Hydrogen is readily available in sources such as natural gas and water – and in contrast to fossil fuels; hydrogen is much gentler to the environment.
Toyota is in production to sell their first hydrogen powered car in 2015. Motivated by the fact that hydrogen vehicles are essentially pollution-free and discharge zero emissions; only releasing minimal remnants of water vapor and heat from the tailpipe. This is encouraging because hydrogen fuel cells do not release pollution either, provided that water and solar energy are exclusively used in the production process. Furthermore, Toyota sees the financial value in hydrogen fuel that is three times more efficient than gasoline (Newman, 2008).
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After much research, I would buy a hydrogen powered vehicle though I do think current models (Honda and Hyundai) are too expensive for Eco-minded buyers ranging from $50,000-$100,000 and at $1 million in production costs per vehicle. Considering hydrogen-powered vehicles are made from seawater, and this salt water is further used in an “in-car fuel cell” that generates electricity for the vehicle’s electric motor, the waste product is pure water (H2O). Secondly, you will save 50% annually and double your gas mileage compared to fuel costs in the same model car run on gasoline (U.S. Department of Energy, 2013). Though many believe that hydrogen fuel cells are the most important alternative fuel technology now under development, the costs of developing the technology and the difficulties and dangers with hydrogen storage are the primary reasons for why more hydrogen fueled vehicles are not in use.
