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Hydrogen-powered cars: Advantages and disadvantages
Hydrogen-powered cars are a great alternative for clean energy. So, discover the advantages and disadvantages of this type of vehicle today and what to expect for the future of this technology.
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Learn all about hydrogen-powered cars.
Hydrogen-powered cars are part of the quest for development without the use of fossil fuels.
After all, as many people know, the well-known fossil fuels, such as gasoline, ethanol, and diesel oil, are major pollutants.
In recent years, vehicle evolution has been continuous.
That's because the constant attempts to bring less polluting models to the automotive market don't stop.
Recently, hydrogen-powered vehicles have been tested in motor racing competitions, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This famous race is even used as a veritable testing laboratory.
Although many people don't know it, the first electric vehicle models were tested there.
Thus, with the success of the technology, an electric racing category emerged: Formula E.
Many automakers participate in Formula E with the goal of developing technologies and then using them in street vehicles.
That's why we can confidently say that in the near future, we will see championships for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Hydrogen has a number of advantages over fossil fuels and electricity.
However, although vehicles that run on this type of fuel already exist, it will still take some time before this type of technology becomes accessible to everyone.
So, with the goal of bringing you quality information about the automotive world, today we're going to show you everything about hydrogen-powered cars.
How they work, the advantages and disadvantages, and what to expect from this type of vehicle in the near future.
So, ready to check out some more insightful content?
So, off we go!
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What is a hydrogen-powered car?
Similar to combustion engine vehicles, which are powered by fossil fuels that generate explosions, and electric vehicles, which are powered by electricity, hydrogen-powered cars use this type of substance to move.
Although it is a new and still expensive technology, it has great potential for expansion in the near future!
How does a hydrogen-powered vehicle work?
Today, hydrogen-powered vehicles are considered the future of the automotive market.
This is because they are powered by clean energy and do not generate waste that harms the environment.
Cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells are fueled in a similar way to conventional fuel.
In other words, hydrogen is stored in the fuel tank, where it reacts with oxygen.
Thus, this reaction produces electrical energy, heat, and water.
The heat and water exit through the exhaust pipe in the form of water vapor, and the electricity goes directly to the engine, or to a battery that stores the electricity for when the vehicle needs it.
However, there are still some differences between an electric car and a hydrogen car.
The electric car has a motor powered by built-in batteries that are charged externally.
Hydrogen-powered cars, on the other hand, use fuel cells with a low environmental impact to produce energy.
The batteries used in this type of vehicle are smaller than the batteries in electric cars.
Therefore, since the hydrogen fuel cell is constantly recharging, there is no need for a larger and heavier battery.
The engineering of a hydrogen-powered engine.
Refueling a car with hydrogen is done in a similar way to refueling a vehicle with gasoline or ethanol.
Thus, once refueled, the vehicle stores the liquid hydrogen in a pressurized tank.
Then, from there it goes to the fuel cell. In the cell, it encounters the abundant oxygen present in the atmosphere.
Right after encountering oxygen, this mixture passes through catalysts so that it can be transformed.
This transformation then generates an electric current.
Thus, as is easy to see, the engineering behind hydrogen-powered cars is complex.
Even though it's functional and clean!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen as a fuel?
The characteristics of hydrogen-powered cars lead many people to believe that they are innovative and full of advantages.
While this is true, it's not the only reality of this type of vehicle.
Finally, even though it may seem absurd, we'll tell you upfront that there are also some disadvantages to this type of vehicle.
Let's explore the pros and cons of this type of vehicle?
Advantages
We've put together some of the main advantages of hydrogen-powered vehicles to show you. Let's go?
Clean energy
In a world where maximum environmental awareness is sought, the fact that hydrogen-powered vehicles do not generate pollutants is a major advantage.
However, it is important to point out that although hydrogen-powered vehicles do not emit pollutants.
However, some processes for obtaining hydrogen use energy sources that end up generating some pollution.
But when driving the vehicle, there are no emissions, which is why this type of car is already considered a green vehicle in many countries.
Quick and easy refueling
Another major advantage of hydrogen-powered cars is the ease with which this type of vehicle can be refueled.
The refueling process is more efficient than in electric vehicles.
So, in about five minutes they are fully charged.
In fact, the refueling process is very similar to filling up a tank with gasoline, ethanol, or diesel fuel.
Autonomy
One of the main advantages of hydrogen-powered vehicles is their long range.
The most modern models that utilize this technology offer a range of around 600 km.
However, the expectation is that in the near future the range of these vehicles will be doubled!
Have you ever imagined driving over 1000 km without needing to refuel and without polluting? That's what the future holds.
Disadvantages
And as we had previously mentioned, a hydrogen-powered car isn't all advantages.
In other words, there are some disadvantages to this type of vehicle that we're going to show you now!
Limitations in the supply network
The main disadvantage for those looking to buy a hydrogen-powered vehicle is the lack of refueling stations.
Today, the global scenario is one of a shortage of jobs requiring this technology.
However, there are signs that this situation will change in the coming years, but today it is still a major problem.
High costs
The costs associated with hydrogen production are high.
After all, hydrogen fuel cells are expensive.
Furthermore, the current price of hydrogen still makes it relatively inaccessible.
This means that refueling ends up being more expensive than the current prices applied to gasoline-powered vehicles, for example.
But to satisfy your curiosity about the costs, we'll show you the prices of the technology here.
To fill a tank with hydrogen and drive 600 kilometers costs about 60 euros.
In other words, an average cost of 10 euros for every 100 kilometers.
Hydrogen is the future of the automotive industry.
Hydrogen-powered cars are still a relatively new technology.
After all, they've been in the market for less than ten years and are still in a process of continuous improvement.
Although vehicles with this technology still represent a relatively small impact on the market, this is a trend that is gaining momentum.
In other words, even though electric vehicles are currently all the rage, many automakers are already looking favorably upon hydrogen.
Today, automakers such as Audi, Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Mercedes, and BMW already have hydrogen-powered vehicles in testing.
Therefore, we can confidently say that hydrogen-powered cars will be the future.
Cars recharged with solar energy.
And since we're talking about technologies applied to the automotive sector, we'd like to ask you:
Have you ever imagined powering your car with direct solar energy?
If your answer was no, you'll certainly be surprised to discover that there are MANY vehicles that are fueled this way today.
So, after introducing you to everything about hydrogen-powered cars, our experts now show you 25 vehicles powered by solar technology.
Are you curious? Do you want to find out what these models are?
Then just click below!
Cars powered by solar energy
Discover 25 cars that are now powered by solar energy and have great range!
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