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Object from the future: Fuel Cell

http://www.toyota.nl/Images/tec_04_fuel_04_im_tcm27-147825.jpg

New

Fuel cells will be the future energy source for our cars and other transport vehicles. It is a promising technology, because a fuel cell has a high energy density for its weight and it is friendly to the environment.

Replace

The fuel cell will be a replacement for our current energy sources. However, if the current demand keeps on rising then the world will be facing a petroleum shortage.

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environment/fchv/image/02a_p1.gif

www.toyota.co.jp

Therefore we have to look after new sources of energy which allows us to continue using our cars. The fuel cell is a welcome and necessary replacement which will reduce the dependency on petroleum.

Change

Not only will fuel cells contribute to reduce the depletion of petroleum, they will also contribute to the reduction of CO2 emission. Especially in cities and other high density traffic areas, the quality of the air will improve significantly. Nowadays cars are responsible for 18% of total CO2 emission. Fuel cell cars are 100% environmental-friendly, although the production of hydrogen is still responsible for CO2 emission. However, new technologies will make it possible to produce hydrogen without emitting CO2.

Growth

The key players in the world (Toyota and Honda in Japan, GM and Ford in US, and DaimlerChrysler in Europe) have already developed some prototypes and are testing them. The leading companies, Toyota and Honda, even have developed multiple generations of fuel cells. Since 2003 they have both been releasing fuel cell cars for everyday use in limited numbers. Still there are some implications to overcome, but as technology will improve more and more cars will be sold in the near future.