3 big disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells are the wave of the future. At least that’s what many would want you to believe. They are right because a hydrogen fuel cell is a novel way to power a car. The car would not need gasoline, it would run on hydrogen and its only waste would be water, a natural and safe emission. However, it is not a perfect science by any means and too many times all the great advantages are discussed without discussing the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells.

With anything, there will be drawbacks. If it were such perfect technology, don’t you think every car would have one now? In addition to being expensive, the hydrogen fuel cell creates certain problems that have yet to be fully addressed.

Here are the top three downsides to hydrogen fuel cells:

1. It is big and cumbersome. Your gas tank already uses a good portion of your car, but a hydrogen fuel cell will be three times the size of a gas tank. But that is not all. The fuel cell must be insulated to keep it safe and secure.

2. Security issues. Liquid hydrogen has the ability to freeze air. There have also been reports of accidents with the fuel cell itself. Sometimes a valve plugs when there is too much pressure in the cell. The only place to go is outside and the cell explodes. There is no way of knowing, yet, if this problem can be solved, but there are many working on it. In a car accident, the tank could rupture, but the good news is that the hydrogen will evaporate quickly. However, it is a more serious condition in a closed area like a garage.

3. Hydrogen evaporates. Strange but true. Isolation is not a perfect process and hydrogen evaporates out of the cell at approximately 1.7 percent per day. This means that eventually the cars will need to be filled. That? Thought you never had to use a pump again? The other problem with this is that gas stations don’t sell hydrogen. You will have to find a custom service station or work with the car manufacturer. Cars that are mixed with fuel cells and gasoline will never have to worry about being stranded.

General Motors Co. currently owns the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, one of the first fuel cell vehicles of its kind. If you are considering purchasing such a vehicle, discuss the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells with the manufacturer. By having the technology, they are aware of the pitfalls of hydrogen fuel cells and have started working on how to improve them.

The good news is that auto companies are working on ways to make this a safer environment by creating fewer emissions and the more we learn about alternative methods, the better the Earth will be for it. Just don’t go blind in one direction without asking questions. Know the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells before agreeing to use them.

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