Introduction to Hydrogen Cars
Many manufacturers are starting to create hydrogen cars, as fossil fuels start to deplete and become expensive. Much investment from governments are also being used to help create a network for the supply of hydrogen fuel.
Hydrogen is derived from natural gas, fossil fuels or ethanol and can also be produced from water that has been through electrolysis. Hydrogen when combined with oxygen can also produce electricity that can be used to power electric motors. Hydrogen is extremely flammable and must be kept in a heavy duty tank.
The cost of manufacturing hydrogen cars at the present, although it’s getting there, at the moment is very expensive and not very cost effective. Most hydrogen cars are hybrid (running a combination of hydrogen and fossil fuel). Some use hydrogen to produce electricity to power electric motors others use hydrogen to run their engines.
Mazda RX8
One of the first sports cars I saw powered by hydrogen was the Mazda RX8 (H2RE). Able to run on both fossil fuel and hydrogen (separately) with a flick of a switch. This RX8 therefore has 2 fuel tanks and can run for 390 miles using both tanks and still allows for 2 rear passenger seats.
MAZDA RX-8 HYDROGEN 2007
The Scorpion
Manufactured by Ronn Motor Company in Texas. This car combines Hydrogen (40%) and normal fossil fuel (60%) to improve economy (said to be around 40mpg). The Scorpion has 450hp from it’s twin turbo 3.5 litre V6 Honda engine, does 0-60 in approx 3.5 seconds and has a 200mph top speed. Oh and it still only weighs 950kg despite that large engine and turbos.
Lifecar
Lifecar (meaning lightweight fuel efficient car) is hydrogen powered, with zero emissions. Manufactured by Morgan, it weighs less than 700kg and can do 250miles per tank of hydrogen. 0-60 in 7 seconds and a top speed of 90mph (ninety).
Morgan’s zero emission Life Car
BMW HR2
Powered by a 12 cylinder 6 litre engine from the 760i and using hydrogen fuel, this car broke 9 world speed records for a purely hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.
The following records were set in Miramar:
|
Time in secs
|
Speed in km/h
|
|
| Flying-start kilometre |
11.993
|
300.190
|
| Flying-start mile |
19.912
|
290.962
|
| Standing-start 1/8 mile |
9.921
|
72.997
|
| Standing-start 1/4 mile |
14.933
|
96.994
|
| Standing-start 1/2 kilometre |
17.269
|
104.233
|
| Standing-start mile |
36.725
|
157.757
|
| Standing-start 10-miles |
221.052
|
262.094
|
| Standing-start kilometre |
26.557
|
135.557
|
| Standing-start 10-kilometres |
46.406
|
245.892
|
BMW’s Hydrogen Race Car
GM Autonomy Concept Car 2002
Uses electric motors powered by hydrogen. Mechanical and hydraulic linkages are all replaced by electrical wires and actuators.
Peugeot Flux Concept Car
A hydrogen powered concept car designed by a 20 year old student and shown full scale at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Peugeot Flux Concept Car
Hydrogen FCX Clarity
Not a sports car I know, but worth a mention. The Honda FCX Clarity may well be the future car to come, as it runs as a fuel cell only car. It combines hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity to power an electric motor and of course the only by-product is water. There is a relatively small Lithium-ion battery that stores the electricity. With approximately 130bhp it can get to 60 in around 9 seconds (not bad for a family saloon by any standard).
Honda FCX Clarity
Fusion 999 – How fast can green go?
BMW Hydrgoen 7
World’s Smallest Hydrogen Car
