Hyundai
have sped off the start line in the hydrogen vehicle production race, by
rolling the first fuel cell vehicle intended for mass production off of the
assembly line.
Hyundai
have created a version of the ix35 which runs completely on hydrogen, meaning
the only by product this car produces is water. The zero emissions vehicle is
the product of the millions that has been invested into fuel cell research by
the Korean company. The competition is beginning to build when it comes to
environmentally friendly driving, with car manufacturers publicising future
plans for a zero emissions driving environment.
Hyundai
motor Vice Chairman, Eok Jo Kim announced the new ix35 as ‘the most
eco-friendly vehicle in the industry.’
He went on to add that it ‘proves that hydrogen fuel cell technology in
daily driving is no longer a dream’.
Fuel cell
engines are not a new concept, in fact the first fuel cell vehicle came about
in 1959. However, the technology has always been too expensive to develop for
the mass market, hindering its advancement for the past fifty years, but Hyundai’s
commitment to the cause has allowed the technology to be developed to mass
market potential.
Fuel cell
engines work by replacing gas with hydrogen. The hydrogen is combined with
oxygen within the engine, creating a chemical reaction. This chemical energy is
then converted into electrical energy, which in turn powers the motor in the
engine. When fuel cell technology is compared to the current ‘plug in’ electric
engines, the results show us that fuel cell engines are a way of sustaining our
current driving habits, without causing any harm to our environment.
One
thousand ix35s are due to be built by 2015. They are first to be made available
as fleet vehicles across Europe, available for public and private vehicle
leasing. After this Hyundai are planning to release the vehicle for consumer
sales, with the hope of lower production costs and a more developed refuelling
network.
The
European Union has established a hydrogen road map, containing plans for new
hydrogen refuelling stations throughout the continent. With hope that fuel
companies will help develop the necessary technology to help put this plan into
action across Europe and then the US.
Our
attitude towards oil is unsustainable when it comes to our planet as well as
our supplies, and this is forcing the automotive industries priorities to
change. Car manufacturers are finally using their resources to develop
technologies that will sustain the vehicle industry and the planet. Responsibility is now being handed to the gas
companies, with the automotive world asking them to help develop the necessary
technologies to make electric driving a viable option.
Ashleigh-Rose
Harman writes on behalf of Tilsun Group, on a number of automotive topics
including vehicle technologies, the future of driving and the benefits of
vehicle leasing. Visit tilsungroup.com for information on vehicle leasing,
including contract hire on the latest EV’s and Hybrid vehicles.
Related Articles:
Hydrogen Still in The Eco-Car Race
BMW to demonstrate hydrogen power in Singapore
General Motors' R&D Chief Urges More Hydrogen Fueling Stations
Hydrogen power looks to harness the energy of the Corsican sun
Harvesting 'limitless' hydrogen from self-powered cells
Virus Helps Researchers Split Water into Hydrogen and Oxygen
Hydrogen Production (Options)
Hydrogen Still in The Eco-Car Race
BMW to demonstrate hydrogen power in Singapore
General Motors' R&D Chief Urges More Hydrogen Fueling Stations
Hydrogen power looks to harness the energy of the Corsican sun
Harvesting 'limitless' hydrogen from self-powered cells
Virus Helps Researchers Split Water into Hydrogen and Oxygen
Hydrogen Production (Options)
No comments:
Post a Comment