Despite all the interest in electric vehicles the developments in hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles are very promising. They show a continous improvement curve you only get by patiently testing and improving the technology through real life tests. We might be in for a suprise in a couple of years.
Honda uses the FCX Clarity car to refine the technology. Their details of their latest version shows the progress. The fuel cell is only 50 liters big, weighs 67 kg and delivers up to 100 kW. The plates are stacked vertically so the residual water will drip out of the cell when you park the car. Great detail because it prevents the cell from freezing up in cold climates: the car can start when it is – 30 C.
The charts supplied by Honda lead to an interesting question: what is the (raw input) energy conversion? How does it compare with a good hybrid running on gasoline?
If you do a quick and dirty comparison the calculation shows that the Clarity has a better energy conversion (energy stored in molecules to km’s) than a gasoline hybrid. Even if you take the losses inherent to creating hydrogen from electricity the Clarity stands up to scrutiny.
(The calculation can be found here Gasoline versus H2.xls.) For a complete comparison you have to more into account, and yes the straight conversion of electricity to wheels turning is even much better. Still I am impressed.
