[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-are-we-still-not-using-hydrogen-fuel\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-are-we-still-not-using-hydrogen-fuel\/","headline":"Why Are We Not Using Hydrogen Fuel?","name":"Why Are We Not Using Hydrogen Fuel?","description":"Why are we still waiting for the so-called \u2018fuel of the future\u2019? Although it may feel like we\u2019re in the midst of an electric revolution in the motoring industry, sceptics argue that the EV days are numbered. Requiring massive amounts of lithium mined from our Earth, uneconomically transported around the world to then later be largely disposed of in the ground is not all that environmentally friendly, many would suggest. Some of these strong voices that make up a vocal […]","datePublished":"2021-02-24","dateModified":"2021-02-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Why-Are-We-Still-Not-Using-Hydrogen-Fuel-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Why-Are-We-Still-Not-Using-Hydrogen-Fuel-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-are-we-still-not-using-hydrogen-fuel\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":575,"keywords":["Hydrogen","Hydrogen Car","Hydrogen fuel"],"articleBody":"Why are we still waiting for the so-called \u2018fuel of the future\u2019?Although it may feel like we\u2019re in the midst of an electric revolution in the motoring industry, sceptics argue that the EV days are numbered.Requiring massive amounts of lithium mined from our Earth, uneconomically transported around the world to then later be largely disposed of in the ground is not all that environmentally friendly, many would suggest. Some of these strong voices that make up a vocal minority will be bonafide petrolheads that simply don\u2019t want to see change. Others, however, are simply strong believers in hydrogen fuel cell technology as the true future of motoring.Like EVs, hydrogen cars use electricity to move as the wheels are turned by electric motors. Unlike electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles aren\u2019t plugged in to charge but rather filled up like regular petrol or diesel cars. The difference being that instead of dirty, non-renewable, finite fossil fuels, liquid hydrogen is poured into the tank.Once inside the car, it generates electricity in the fuel cell where hydrogen and oxygen are combined to cause a reaction. This chemical reaction, through the magic of science, produces electricity which is then used to power the car\u2019s motors. Water is also produced as a byproduct and is released out of the exhaust in the form of water vapour.Furthermore, FCVs (fuel cell vehicles) are lighter than EVs as they don\u2019t require large battery packs and because of this weight difference, they\u2019re more energy-efficient. They produce no emissions, like an EV, and also hydrogen is not exactly a rare element so we\u2019re not going to run out as you can literally extract it from water (H2O). And perhaps most significantly, you don\u2019t have to wait for them to charge, you fill up and go like in a regular combustion car so no range anxiety.So, why isn\u2019t hydrogen the obvious answer we\u2019ve been looking for? Well, perhaps due to a lack of mass investment (like as we have recently seen with the rapid adoption of EV technology), hydrogen cars and fuel is still very expensive. Hydrogen fuel costs around \u00a312 per kilogram and hydrogen cars hold around 5 or 6 kg on average, meaning the fuel isn\u2019t cheap at all and around the same as diesel or petrol prices.Furthermore, there\u2019s some seriously bad press around hydrogen fuel. Even though electric cars have highly flammable batteries underneath them, hydrogen is potentially much deadlier. A hydrogen chemical plant in California exploded in 2019, as did a hydrogen refuelling station in Norway. It also doesn\u2019t help that the bomb even more devastating than an atomic bomb happens to be called the hydrogen bomb and the fuel cells of hydrogen cars are lined with Kevlar to protect occupants from potential dangers.Some would argue that hydrogen as an energy source is less efficient than electricity as energy is lost during the electrolysis process, the cooling and pressurisation for transportation process and the fuel cell process that takes place in the car. Lastly, a lot of hydrogen, as it so happens, actually is generated from fossil fuels with some research with some saying it\u2019s around 95% from unrenewable sources.Pros and cons, as there is for everything. Do you think hydrogen cars have a future? Let us know in the comments!If you enjoyed this, you may also like: \u2018Are Modern Car Lights Too Bright?\u2019"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why Are We Not Using Hydrogen Fuel?","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-are-we-still-not-using-hydrogen-fuel\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]