Cars and buses

Hydrogen and electricity are the only know forms of energy that offer zero emissions from motor vehicles.

Use of electricity as an environmentally friendly transportation 'fuel' is dependent on progress in on-board energy storage from batteries. However, battery electric vehicles cannot compete with hydrogen-fuelled vehicles for general usage in terms of range and 'refill' time.

In British Columbia, Canada, we are demonstrating two types of hydrogen vehicles - hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCVs).

Hydrogen ICE vehicles use a regular combustion engine modified to use gaseous hydrogen. They burn hydrogen, but since there is no carbon in hydrogen, there are no CO2 emissions and only trace amounts of nitrous oxides. Hydrogen ICE vehicles are typically about 30% more efficient than comparable gasoline vehicles.

Fuel cell vehicles are electric, similar to battery vehicles. Hydrogen is pumped into a tank in the car, similar to gasoline. The hydrogen is then fed into the fuel cell where it is electrochemically converted into electricity -- with no combustion and no emissions other than water vapour. The electricity generated is used to power the vehicle. A fuel cell is also 2-3 times more energy efficient than a gasoline engine.

All FCVs demonstrated in BC are hybridized and benefit from the use of battery, electric-drive systems and system controls, which are also being developed for battery, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Hybridization of FCVs provides a number of advantages including increased efficiency through brake energy recovery, reduced hydrogen consumption and system redundancy. These complementary technologies will indirectly support the ultimate commercialization of FCVs. It’s the only electric vehicle technology that offers the promise of zero emissions, superior efficiency and uncompromised functionality.

Automobiles and Trucks

Full performance, zero-emissions, sustainable mobility is the end-game for automotive manufacturers. GM, Toyota, Ford, Daimler and Honda are developing a portfolio of sustainable mobility solutions ranging from bio-fuelled ICEs, through hybrids and plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

While several alternative power technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the fuel cell is the only powertrain that can meet the extended range and rapid fuelling desired by consumers.  Most automakers have stated plans for early commercialization of fuel cell automobiles in the 2015 timeframe.