How Do Fuel Powered Cars Work?
An essential exodus from a car that runs on a conventional combustion engine represents the fuel cell technology which was adopted by the automobile world. It is a new approach to power a car while using traditional technology. Cars can now operate on hydrogen or other renewable fuel instead of running on gasoline which are scarce. Therefore, to counter the shortage in oil, car manufacturer had come about this new creation and practise it on passenger cars, delivery trucks, buses, military vehicles and lift trucks. The aim for this creation/ production is to minimise the dependency of transportation on oil.
The foundation of a fuel powered car are somewhat the same as electric vehicles, the only difference is that power/ energy can be released as an effect of connection between gasses rather then depending on the batteries installed to supply sufficient energy that is required to operate the car’s motor. Energy that is generated refers to the electricity that is produced due to the coalition and chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. However, only one resort of such reaction is not sufficient, therefore car manufacturer had slip in few fuel cells as the main power source of a vehicle.
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The power system of a fuel cell consists of an electric motor, a battery, a hydrogen tank and a fuel cell stack. After some chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack, electricity can be produced which in return will move the car’s wheel and launch the car forward. The battery however acts as a backup powered source for the vehicle. Besides, regenerative braking is being used in a fuel cell powered car where the motor will evoke energy generated while slowing down or stopping and uses such energy to charge the battery. It acts as a life cycle to keep the energy going, thus allowing the car to move forward without any problems.
Hydrogen can be refueled in hydrogen fueling station similar to the conventional petrol station which will be set up when the demand for such usage increases. As documented, in southern California during 2003, an experimental home fueling station was built to collect hydrogen from natural gasses and allows drivers to refuel right from their garage.
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Since 2008, two major automobile makers had tested their fuel cell passenger vehicle namely the Chevrolet Equinox and the Honda FCX. According to Honda, the FCX can runs up to 240miles before needing to refuel while the Chevrolet is able to reach 100mph and runs up to 200 miles before the next refuel. Both are still in the stage of testing, so stay tune for more information and news about the new and improved version of fuel cell powered car!
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