ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
Did You Know?
Gasoline and diesel powered vehicles produce 60% of the smog-forming pollutants in California.
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HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
Fuel cells generate electricity, using hydrogen as their fuel in an electrochemical process. A fuel cell can be used, in combination with an electric motor, to drive a vehicle – quietly, powerfully and cleanly.
An individual fuel cell consists of two electrodes, one positively charged (cathode) and one negatively charged (anode), with a substance that conducts electricity (electrolyte) sandwiched between them. Oxygen from the air passes over the cathode and hydrogen over the anode, generating electricity and water. The hydrogen fuel for a fuel cell EV can be supplied in several ways. Some vehicles carry a tank of pure hydrogen. Others could be equipped with a "fuel reformer" that converts hydrocarbon fuels—such as methanol, natural gas, or gasoline—into a hydrogen-rich gas. Individual fuel cells must be combined into groups called fuel cell stacks in order to achieve the necessary power required for motor vehicle applications.
Fuel cells have the power to change our future. A breakthrough "clean machine," the fuel cell harnesses the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity without combustion or pollution. Fuel cells are quieter, cleaner and more energy efficient, with equivalent range and performance.
All of the major auto makers are working on Fuel Cell vehicles. Honda and GM are placing limited numbers of vehicles with customers and fleets in California.
Environmental Benefits
When operating directly with hydrogen, there are no polluting emissions and no greenhouse gases from a fuel cell, only water and heat. If the hydrogen is generated by reforming fossil fuels, some greenhouse gases are released, but much less than the amount produced by conventional vehicles. In addition to these benefits, fuel cells could dramatically reduce urban air pollution, decrease oil imports, reduce the trade deficit and produce American jobs.
Perks and Conveniences
Fuel cell engines offer a combination of the range of conventional combustion engines with low fuel consumption, minimal or no harmful emissions, low noise emissions, and the comfort of an electric vehicle.
Facts
- Fuel cells have the potential to strengthen our national energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The U.S. uses about 20 million barrels of oil per day, at a cost of about $2 billion a week. In fact, half of the oil used to produce gasoline is imported
- Fuel cells can provide much more electric power than the 12-volt batteries in conventional vehicles. Therefore, FCVs can be equipped with more sophisticated and powerful electronic systems than those found in conventional vehicles
- Internal combustion engines convert less than 20% of the energy in gasoline into power that moves the vehicle. Vehicles using electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells are much more energy efficient.
- The U.S. Department of Energy projects that if a mere 10% of automobiles nationwide were powered by fuel cells, regulated air pollutants would be cut by one million tons per year and 60 million tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide would be eliminated. DOE projects that the same number of fuel cell cars would cut oil imports by 800,000 barrels a day — about 13 percent of total imports.
Safety
Fuel cell vehicles are being developed with levels of safety, comfort, and cost comparable to those of a conventional vehicles. Like all fuels, hydrogen has energy and needs to be treated with respect. Because hydrogen is lighter than air it disperses very quickly. Manufacturers are committed to building fuel cell vehicles that meet or exceed safety standards.
CALIFORNIA HYDROGEN HIGHWAY NETWORK:
California’s initiative to provide hydrogen infrastructure to support hydrogen vehicle roll outs.
CALIFORNIA HYDROGEN HIGHWAY NETWORK FACT SHEET – Hydrogen Production and Environmental Impacts.
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