How long has the oil comp. kept the hydrogen run car from us?

Question

i herd recently a hydo run car will be on the market....but ive herd a long time ago they had a working model.....why dosnt anyone care?

Answer 1

They have to make it so that, at least the rich people can afford it.

Answer 2

Do little research before you get all pissy about it. First off Hydrogen cars work on Fuel Cell technology, something that's been around for a long time but very expensive. Secondly hydrogen, all though abundant, is not easily or economically cheaper than oil to extract. Present day technology is no better than it takes more energy to make hydrogen than the energy it would create. Third, infrastructure. Few people know it but there is an immense state to state, country wide pipeline system to distribute gasoline. There would have to be something similar for hydrogen or new technology to extract hydrogen locally that doesn't exist yet. Basically it comes down to economics, the vehicles are very expensive, the fuel cost would be very expensive and the transport of the fuel would be very expensive also. Unless there are incredible breakthroughs in battery technology, hydrogen or other fuel cell technology will probably be the next fuel of the world but sadly it is years away.

Answer 3

You need to get over your current conspiracy theory mind-set and look at actual facts.  Hydrogen powered cars are simply not economically competative since:

1) Hydrogen for fuel must be produced.  The most economical method for this production is via steam reforming of hydrocarbons.  This is so superior to electrolysis that it is the only process used for commercial hydrogen production.  Even so, it is very energy intensive, which means that the hydrogen produced will be quite expensive.

2) There is currently no viable distribution system for hydrogen transportation fuel.  Establishing one would cost billions of dollars.  This money is not going to magically appear.  Instead, the cost of the distribution system will need to be factored into the fuel cost.

3) Hydrogen storage is also a problem.  In order to hold a reasonable amount of fuel, your cars fuel tank would need to be designed for 1) very high pressures or 2) very low temperatures, or possibly both.

Answer 4

Liquid hydrogen is the most explosive gas there is. 10 Gal will blow away a hold block. Why do u think NASA uses it as a fuel????

Answer 5

Th oil companies have nothing to do with it, except that oil is much cheaper and safer.

There are many organizations trying to produce a design that will use H2 that will be cheaper and safer (Last I read over 400 cars now being tested). President Bush believes in it. He has authorized billions for research. The problems are Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering. Oil companies and governments have nothing to do with H2 not being used today. We have been making H2 from water and gas for many many years. It is used in many industrial processes and is a byproduct of some processes making Oxygen from water. H2 fuel cells have also been around for a long time. They produce electricity from H2 which runs a motor.

It is very dangerous to work with in gas form, and very expensive to produce. Pollution is also a problem because it produces other than CO2 pollutants. The designs just have not been able to overcome the negatives yet. I hope it can. Time will tell.

Answer 6

In 1954 a company in the U.K. produced a vehicle comprised completely of fibreglass, a yet unknown super strong material. Ford bought them out!?