I, for one, have been a keen observer of trends in the alternative fuel world and have always been fascinated by the research, and the practical prototypes using these fuels, that have been showcased from time to time.
Among those fuels, I have always been interested in the research into hydrogen, the element found most abundantly in our universe.
I am also keenly aware of the negative criticism hydrogen as a fuel has had to suffer when prominent people in the technological world, like Elon Musk of Tesla, have argued against it in favor of electric cars, which according to them is more efficient and that the infrastructure is already there.
Musk even went to the extent of calling it a ‘an Incredibly Dumb’ car fuel last month, and explained at length why hydrogen fuel cell cars “are extremely silly”.
The Lexus, in front of the iconic Sydney Opera House [Photo Source]
But whatever the case may be, certain car manufacturers have invested a lot of money into research, and have created some fantastic cars which is slated to be unveiled to the world in the near future.
I have minimal knowledge regarding how hydrogen is used as a fuel, or how these "hydrogen fuel cells" work, but whatever little I know has been due to some good articles on the internet, like this article and this article.
But for the people who just want to know whats happening in this space, I put below some of the cars announced by manufacturers and which should be out in the market shortly.
General Motors, which announced it has achieved 3.1 million miles of hydrogen fuel cell testing, revealed its hydrogen-powered car in October last. The car comes with 37-inch tires and stands at more than 6.5-feet tall and 7-feet wide. The US Army will test the car in extreme conditions in 2017. [Photo Source]
Honda began leasing Clarity in California at the end of 2016 and the EPA recently gave the car an estimated range of 366 miles, the longest range of any zero-emissions vehicle. Honda says the Clarity has a refuel time of just three to five minutes. [Photo Source]
Toyota has been working on hydrogen-powered cars the longest, having put 23 years into the technology. The Toyota Mirai has an EPA estimated range of 312 miles and refuels in just 5 minutes. It comes with a front radar sensor and camera that allows it to detect lane drift and alert the driver. It also comes with automatic emergency braking. [Photo Source]
The Lexus is to unveil its hydrogen-powered car in 2020. The car comes with high-tech perks like a display that can be controlled with simple hand gestures. [Photo Source]
Audi unveiled a concept car, the h-tron quattro, at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show that the automaker says can drive 372 miles on hydrogen alone and can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in under 7.1 seconds. [Photo Source]
BMW will collaborate with Toyota to build the hydrogen drive-trains in its 2020 car. BMW says its hydrogen car will have a range exceeding 300 miles and a refuel time of under five minutes. [Photo Source]
Ford is aiming to launch the first affordable, mass-market vehicle by 2017. In January 2013, Ford announced it was teaming up with Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler and Nissan to accelerate the creation of fuel cell technology. [Photo Source]
Mercedes-Benz will launch its plug-in hydrogen car called the GLC F-Cell at some point this year. The automaker says it will have an all-electric range of 30 miles and a collective range of 310 miles with the hydrogen fuel cell, which can be refilled in just three minutes. [Photo Source]
Welsh start-up Riversimple is allowing UK drivers lease its hydrogen-powered car which boasts a 300-mile range and is super light-weight, coming in under 1,300 pounds. [Photo Source]
Italian design house Pininfarina is doing a limited production run of its hydrogen-powered car, the H2 Speed. It can accelerate to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The car can reach a top speed of 186 mph and refuels in just three minutes. [Photo Source]
Sources for the post
- http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/how-do-hydrogen-fuel-cells-work#.WJ_dSPl97IV
- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/auto/10-hydrogen-fuelled-cars-to-look-out-for-in-the-near-future/the-alt-fuel/slideshow/57015823.cms
- https://www.driveclean.ca.gov/Search_and_Explore/Technologies_and_Fuel_Types/Hydrogen_Fuel_Cell.php
- https://thinkprogress.org/elon-musk-is-right-hydrogen-is-an-incredibly-dumb-car-fuel-d0f37a4c9bee#.fhlmd1rjz
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