Hydrogen fuel is one of a number of potential alternatives to traditional vehicle fuels. With oil supplies diminishing we need to look at alternatives to petrol and diesel for the future, and hydrogen fuel is one such possibility. This renewable fuel is produced from either the breakdown of a hydrocarbon source (natural gas, fossil fuel or ethanol) of by the electrolysis of water.
Hydrogen fuel has major environmental benefits over fossil fuels as hydrogen burns almost completely pollution free. It can, however, only be considered to be a truly clean fuel from ‘well to wheel’ if the hydrogen is produced using a renewable energy source such as solar or wind power. If fossil fuels are used in the generation of hydrogen the carbon and other greenhouse emissions are often higher than those of petrol and diesel.
Hydrogen fuel is not currently in general use as only a small number of prototype vehicles have been produced. This could change, however, due to the clean nature of the fuel and the fact that it is a renewable source. The hydrogen fuel can be stored as compressed gas or liquid and will require specialist filling equipment.
Hydrogen fuel cells have in fact been trialled in London along with other European cities in recent years. A number of London buses on specific routes have been using this fuel since January 2004 with the project scheduled to end in January 2007. More details on this scheme can be found on the Transport for London website.
All the latest news on hydrogen fuel can be found at the European Hydrogen Association website for more information.
