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« More testing for Teflon-related health effects in West Virginia | Main | International body to punish polluters? »
November 20, 2006
Are the new hydrogen cars as clean as they claim?
BMW has announced the introduction of the first hydrogen powered luxury car. Rather than C02, pure water vapor drips from its exhaust pipe. While the hydrogen tank’s range is limited to 200 kilometers (124 miles), a button on the steering wheel can switch the car from hydrogen to allow the car to use gas, allowing up to 500 additional kilometers (310 miles).
Sounds like a great idea, but like any new toy, a hydrogen car has its downsides. Besides the high price, there are a few other kinks in this seemingly smog-free ride. Producing hydrogen with fossil fuels can outweigh the benefits of using it as a fuel. BMW says they'd prefer to use hydrogen produced by wind or solar power, but for now, the fuel is generated by burning petroleum. Then there's the problem that only five hydrogen-fueling stations exist in the whole world. Still, BMW hopes that this high-profile model will spur other companies to produce hydrogen vehicles, which in turn means a bigger market for hydrogen produced with renewable energy and refueling stations.
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Comments
The principle of supply and demand suggests that as hydrocarbon supplies diminish, prices will rise. Therefore higher prices will lead to increased alternative, renewable energy supplies as previously uneconomic sources become sufficiently economical to exploit.
Posted by: Drug Treatment | November 23, 2006 2:19 PM
what is the energy efficiency in an explosion engine run on hydrogen? 30% like any other explosion engine? if yes, then it is really a waste of energy to use hydrogen in an explosion engine when a fuel cell driven car probably could come up in around 90% energy efficiency (of energy in the tank - excluding energy losses before reaching the tank).
Posted by: Johan | December 6, 2006 6:58 PM
There are a lot more than "five hydrogen-fueling stations exist in the whole world", my friend. California has 23, Michigan 8, Japan 12 and so on. The technology is just getting started so taking a "wait and see approach" would be more beneficial than trying to drive a stake through its heart at this early stage.
Posted by: Kevin | December 23, 2006 8:16 PM