Will Your Future Car Have a Fuel Cell?

Does the high price of gas have you fuming? The media seems to say there is no end to increasing gasoline prices. The fuel cell may be the solution to eliminating high gas prices. Yes the same device used in the Space Shuttle. It may be closer to reality than you think. Keep reading for an explanation of what a fuel cell is and how close is it to being in your car.

Electric Cars Now

Invented in the 1830s, electric cars actually predate the internal combustion engine. The major problem with early electric cars is the same problem now, storing energy in batteries. The electric car must have a source of electrical energy. Obviously an extension cord will not work. The idea of electric charged rails has died out except for mass transit. Cars must store their own energy. The only practical way is with batteries. However, one individual battery does not have enough peak power nor enough stored energy for today's driving habits. Multiple batteries must be used; this takes up space and adds weight to the car.

Despite these problems, there has been progress. The Think Group, a Norwegian manufacturer, plans mass production of an electric car for North America starting in 2009. The Think City can go 110 miles at up to 65 mph on one charge. Price is expected to be around $25,000. Tesla Motors is currently making the Tesla Roadster. They claim it has a 220 mile range on one charge and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. If you want the $100,000 plus car, you are too late. The 2008 production run of 900 cars is already sold out. Technology is advancing, but there still are significant barriers for the battery operated electric car.

The hybrid car helps with this problem by using an internal combustion engine to replenish charge and add peak power. Early hybrid cars were expensive. With gas prices not yet too high, it was difficult to show a cost savings for buying a hybrid. Now that the extra cost for a hybrid version is declining and the price of gas dramatically increasing, the cost effectiveness of a hybrid is certainly worth considering.