Hydrogen Cars

WyrmDL · #1 10-13-2010, 10:53 AM

I honestly think these are the solution to our future.

Solar powered cars just don't work. Electric cars have major faults, such as the long recharge time, and also the factor to consider when a large amount of people start charging their cars from home. Hybrid cars are quite nice, but they don't quite solve the problem.

Top Gear goes into some detail about the Honda FCX Clarity here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZvyYvbXjEM

The most fascinating part about this is that the car actually works. It's not just some concept car for show; they lease these in California. Unfortunately, they aren't for sale, but you can get one for about $600/mo last I checked.

Can't wait to see how this progresses.

Plus, they aren't hideous. They actually look like a civilian automobile.

MIJ-VI · #2 10-13-2010, 11:01 AM

"Oh the humanity!..."

MIJ-VI · #3 10-13-2010, 11:03 AM

It's not the cars, it's the fuel supply infrastructure.

Jim Nazium · #4 10-13-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

"Oh the humanity!..."

beat me to it ...

brickerenator · #5 10-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

"Oh the humanity!..."

T-Bird · #6 10-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Hi.

As a someone with a degree in mechanical engineering and as a someone who's been facinated with anything mechanical from about the age of 5, I'd like nothing more than that to be true.

However, using pure hydrogen as a fuel won't happen anytime soon. There's just too many problems, starting with producing the hydrogen itself down to converting it to power/torque to move the vehicle.

If and when the hydrogen is combined with other elements, the problems are much easier to solve.

Regards
Sam

Thunderscreech · #7 10-13-2010, 11:15 AM

We already have hydrogen-powered cars. What part of gasoline do you think actually burns to provide the power?

Truktek2 · #8 10-13-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

It's not the cars, it's the fuel supply infrastructure.

+1. Electric cars are also possible once battery technology improves. Weight, cost and charging concerns are the main problems, but I'm sure it could come to fruition. (eventually)

PSPookie · #9 10-13-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

As a someone with a degree in mechanical engineering and as a someone who's been facinated with anything mechanical from about the age of 5, I'd like nothing more than that to be true.

However, using pure hydrogen as a fuel won't happen anytime soon. There's just too many problems, starting with producing the hydrogen itself down to converting it to power/torque to move the vehicle.

If and when the hydrogen is combined with other elements, the problems are much easier to solve.

Regards
Sam

Thanks. You saved me a lengthy post.

Cosmo420 · #10 10-13-2010, 12:26 PM

I think electric is the way to go. True, electrics aren't where they need to be to be a complete replacement for gas engines, but look at how new they are. It's just a case of research.

Look at things like computers and cell phones. Look how far they have come in the last ten years. Imagine if that kind of research and development had been put into electric cars. By now we'd all be driving electric cars that weigh nothing and can hold a charge for a month.

Chebass88 · #11 10-13-2010, 12:29 PM

Hydrogen cars are great,
Hydrogen cars are grand,
Without fueling infrastructure,
you won't drive on land.

MatticusMania · #12 10-13-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyrmDL

Plus, they aren't hideous. They actually look like a civilian automobile.

Actually, no, thats quite hideous.

MatticusMania · #13 10-13-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truktek2

+1. Electric cars are also possible once battery technology improves. Weight, cost and charging concerns are the main problems, but I'm sure it could come to fruition. (eventually)

Or it already has behind the scenes and theyre just waiting for the right time to put it into play.

MatticusMania · #14 10-13-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo420

I think electric is the way to go. True, electrics aren't where they need to be to be a complete replacement for gas engines, but look at how new they are. It's just a case of research.

Exactly. Early model Fords could get you what, across town on a full tank? It just needs some time...

PSPookie · #15 10-13-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Or it already has behind the scenes and theyre just waiting for the right time to put it into play.

I heard they have a car that runs on water, man. Water! But The Man is keeping it under wraps.

i_got_a_mohawk · #16 10-13-2010, 12:42 PM

I'm working on a vehicle that'll help cut down the congestion on the streets...

...wait til you see my helium car...

MatticusMania · #17 10-13-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

I heard they have a car that runs on water, man. Water! But The Man is keeping it under wraps.

Maybe they should develop an engine that runs on all this unwanted corn syrup. Sorry, corn sugar.

PSPookie · #18 10-13-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I'm working on a vehicle that'll help cut down the congestion on the streets...

...wait til you see my helium car...

Helium is just Hydrogen's fat stepkid.

jp58 · #19 10-13-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

Hydrogen cars are great,
Hydrogen cars are grand,
Without fueling infrastructure,
you won't drive on land.

warnergt · #20 10-13-2010, 12:58 PM

I'm an electrical engineer and I agree that hydrogen cars are the future.

We could have nuclear plants generate hydrogen at night when demand
for their output is low. This is the direction to true energy independence
and jobs at home.

Instead of the $800B spendulus program that did pretty much nothing,
they should have invested it in 100 new nuclear plants with the intent
of supporting hydrogen production for new vehicles.