Auto Scene Looks to Hydrogen Fuel-Cell for the Future
In today’s market, the public focus falls on the battery electric vehicles. In order to reverse the situation, another kind of electric-drive vehicle is on the way to conquer the market. And in the automakers point of view, the FCVs will give a better performance. The attention of automakers has now turned to the development of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
Popular automobile companies such as Toyota, Hyundai, Daimler and Honda have slowly begun to consider this as an important alternative energy option. Hyundai may come out with a new fuel-cell version of its ix35, which will probably be called Tucson in the US, for lease by the end of this year.
The company will produce 1,000 fuel-cell cars by 2015 for production and will increase up it up to 10,000 fuel-cell cars a year. The company has expressed its commitment to fuel cells, which is for heavier and mid-size cars, and battery-powered vehicles for smaller ones.
Companies likeToyotaand Honda are also on the line to launch a fuel-cell car in 2015. Honda’s FCX Clarity is available for lease inCalifornia, while Mercedes-Benz leases its F-Cell car in the same market.
But one of the worst barriers for automakers to adopt fuel-cells is the shortage of a refueling network as the companies are not ready to build fueling stations in advance. The other obstacle is its price. But compared to battery-powered vehicle, fuel-cell vehicles could be more adaptable.
