Onboard Hydrogen Storage.
It is currently difficult to store enough hydrogen onboard a FCV
to allow it to travel as far as a conventional vehicle on a full
tank of fuel. Fuel cells are more energy-efficient than internal
combustion engines in terms of the amount of energy used per weight
of fuel and the amount of fuel used vs. the amount wasted. However,
hydrogen gas is very diffuse, and only a small amount (in terms
of weight) can be stored in onboard fuel tanks of a reasonable size.
This can be overcome by increasing the pressure under which the
hydrogen is stored or through the development of chemical or metal
hydride storage options. Researchers are developing high-pressure
tanks and hydride systems that will store hydrogen more effectively
and safely.
Cold-weather Operation. Cold-weather operation can also
be problematic since fuel cell systems always contain water, both
as a byproduct and for humidifying the fuel cell, which can freeze
at low temperatures. The fuel cells must also reach a certain temperature
to attain full performance.
Getting
Hydrogen to Consumers. The extensive system used to deliver
gasoline from refineries to local filling stations cannot be used
for transporting and storing hydrogen. New facilities and systems
will be required to get hydrogen to consumers-this will take significant
time and money.
Cost. FCVs are currently expensive: far too expensive for
most consumers to afford. Manufacturers will have to find efficient,
cost-effective ways to produce FCVs and the fuel cell systems they
use. In particular, they must reduce the costs of the electrolyte
membrane and catalyst-the catalyst is made of platinum-used in the
fuel cell. Onboard reformers used in some vehicles to produce hydrogen
from other fuels are also quite expensive.
Safety. Hydrogen, like gasoline or any other fuel, has safety
risks and must be handled with due caution. While we are quite familiar
with gasoline, handling compressed hydrogen will be new to most
of us. Therefore, developers must optimize new fuel storage and
delivery systems for safe everyday use, and consumers must become
familiar with hydrogen's properties and risks.
Competition with Other Technologies. Manufacturers are still
improving the efficiency of gasoline-and diesel-powered engines,
and gasoline-electric hybrids are gaining popularity. FCVs will
have to offer consumers a viable alternative, especially in terms
of performance, durability, and cost, to survive in the ultra-competitive
automobile market.
Public Acceptance. Finally, fuel cell technology must be
embraced by consumers before its benefits can be realized. Consumers
may have concerns about the dependability and safety of these vehicles,
just as they did with the first automobiles-which were considered
a radically different techology at the turn of the century.
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