Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

There are over 800 million vehicles in the world, with the number expected to reach two billion by 2050. The transportation sector accounts for 19% of global CO₂ emissions and is the fastest growing contributor to man-made atmospheric CO₂.  In addition the sector is responsible for much of the poor air quality now seen in many of the world’s population centres.

There is a clear need for a cleaner, alternative to the internal combustion engine to power cars, and most automakers and stakeholders believe that fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), provide the most efficient, and practical solution for the future. The key feature of FCEV over other alternative ultra low carbon vehicles is their ability to refuel and as such provide similar driving range to current vehicles. Having spent many years in research and development, and multi millions of pounds, ensuring that the technology will deliver all the high standards of safety and performance required of modern vehicles, manufacturers have committed to launching vehicles by 2015. To crack the chicken and egg problem of lack of hydrogen infrastructure, several countries have formed joint undertakings to ensure that fuelling stations will be available in the same timescales.

So after many years of speculation and frustration, it seems practical, low carbon vehicles could be just around the corner.