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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars: Worth the Investment?

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars: Worth the Investment?
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars: Worth the Investment? Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but only recently have people been able to harness this resource and turn it into energy. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are one such advancement made in the effort to turn hydrogen gas into electricity. Fuel cells in the car are used to convert hydrogen into an electrical current, and thus power the vehicle. Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into water while producing electricity. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are also quiet (similar to an electric vehicle), very energy efficient, have zero emissions and have equivalent range and performance to their gasoline counterparts. However, these types of cars still haven’t gained popularity despite these advantages. This is because more research still needs to go into this new emerging technology. Advancements still needed to be made in order for FCVs (Fuel Cell Vehicles) to be successful and competitive alternatives for consumers. Things such as onboard hydrogen storage, fuel cell durability and reliability, readily available refueling stations, and of course vehicle cost need to be addressed.1 In the long run however, the advantages of Fuel Cell Vehicles will outweigh the costs. Thus, the government should invest more into the development of FCVs because they are environmentally friendly, the source of energy to power them (hydrogen) will sustain us into perpetuity, and further advancements in this field will have many additional applications pertaining to energy consumption. Gasoline powered vehicles release a lot of green house gasses, but mostly carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. On the other hand, Hydrogen powered vehicles emit no green house gasses; just heat and water. This water is also pollutant free and clean enough for people to even drink.5 FCVs will also reduce the amount of air pollution in the U.S (mainly emitted from gasoline vehicles). If the hydrogen fuel is produced through fossil fuels,


Cited: "Benefits and Challenges." www.FuelEconomy.gov. U.S. Department of Energy, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_benefits.shtml>. Breakthrough Technologies Institute "DriveClean.ca.gov." Drive Clean.ca.gov. Drive Clean, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/Search_and_Explore/Technologies_and_Fuel_Types/Hydrogen_Fuel_Cell.php>. "Environmental and Energy Study Institute." Hydrogen Fuel Cells "Focus." World Energy Council. World Energy Council, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.worldenergy.org/focus/fuel_cells/380.asp>. 3 "Hydrogen Energy." RE News RSS. Renewable Energy World, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/hydrogen>. Kanellos, Michael 2. Karthik, Narayani. "Fuel Cell Pros and Cons." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 04 Oct. 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/fuel-cells-pros-and-cons.html>. Lampton, Christopher NREL. "NREL: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research Home Page." NREL: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research Home Page. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/>. Schwartz, Ariel West, Larry. "Is Hydrogen the Fuel of the Future?" About.com Environmental Issues. About.com, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/fcv.htm>. Wilde, Gaby De. "Water-fueled Car." Water-fueled Car. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2013. <http://knol.go-here.nl/water-fueled-car.html>.
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