Of late, hydrogen has emerged an alternative fuel in running the car and is becoming increasingly popular because the source of this fuel is water, which is freely available everywhere. Since, water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, the hydrogen from water is separated through the method of electrolysis, thus acting as a fuel to the car.
In fact, hydrogen does not wholly replace the fuel. A device called hydroxy or hydrogen cell which contains two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen feeds into the engine chambers, with the mixture of fuel and air which enhances the burning process. This drastically reduces the utility of fuel by more than thirty percent. These hydrogen cells can also be built by a person at home, since it is not a difficult task.
Clearly, the greatest advantage of a hydrogen car is the increase in miles per gallon which ranges anywhere from fifty to hundred percent. This is also less expensive than a hybrid car which also contributes to fuel efficiency. The HHO generator is the device that separates hydrogen molecules from oxygen and that hydrogen is used to fuel the car.
Since, water is available in abundance there is no reason that there would be scarcity of water or hydrogen to be used as a fuel. Since hydrogen is a light element, the weight of the fuel is also much reduced and it has no smell.
The advantages of hydrogen fuel are endless. The byproduct of hydrogen fuel is only water. Since the hydrogen is extracted and consumed as the car is driven, it is quite safe (keeping in view that hydrogen is a highly combustible gas). With a constant search for alternative sources of energy due to the soaring prices of oil, hydrogen has come as a solution for reasons more than one.
Hydrogen is also a non depleting resource and burns more cleanly than petrol. Scientists are constantly researching to overcome the drawbacks to make the use of hydrogen cars on a large scale. Hydrogen is less expensive than gas or diesel and thus hydrogen cars are designed to offer better mileage than other types of cars. The US government provides tax rebates for hybrid and hydrogen cars which emphasizes the advantages of hydrogen cars.
But some people argue that hydrogen cars are quite expensive and there are not many gas stations for refueling. But these hurdles can be overcome in course of time because the burning problem is the rise in the price of fuel and it is imperative to find and support alternative fuel resources and vehicles that run on them. In this context, hydrogen cars should be welcomed and encouraged to help not only in the economy of an individual but also of the country as a whole.
Adam Boulton
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