A hydrogen car is a type of alternative fuel vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel to provide propulsion. Power is generated by the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical energy, either by the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to supply an electric motor or, less frequently, by the combustion of hydrogen in engine internal combustion.
In 2019, there were three models of hydrogen cars available to the public in selected markets: the Toyota Mirai (2014), which is the first electric fuel cell (FCEV) electric vehicle in the world, the Honda Clarity (2016) and the Hyundai Nexo (2018). Some other companies, such as BMW, are still researching hydrogen cars, while Volkswagen, on the other hand, believes that this technology has no future in the automotive field, mainly because an electric fuel cell vehicle consumes three times more energy than an electric battery car. . As of December 2020, a total of 31,225 FCEV hydrogen technology vehicles were on the roads of the world, according to Wikipedia.
From 2019, 98% of hydrogen comes from the reaction of water with methane, while carbon monoxide and hydrogen are produced (CH4 + H2O ⇌ CO + 3 H2). The reaction is carried out thermochemically or pyrolytically using renewable raw materials, but the procedures are currently expensive. Efforts are being made to develop various technologies aimed at reducing costs, while increasing quantities to compete with hydrogen production using natural gas.
The benefits of hydrogen technology are the fast refueling time (compared to gasoline) and the long driving distance with a single refill. The disadvantages of using hydrogen are the high carbon dioxide emissions when hydrogen is produced from natural gas, the low energy content per unit volume in ambient conditions, the production and compression of hydrogen, the investment required to distribute it at service stations. hydrogen, the transport of hydrogen to gas stations and the lack of capacity to produce or distribute hydrogen at home.
The Toyota Mirai is one of the first hydrogen cell vehicles on the market since 2014.
Toyota, Air Liquide and CaetanoBus are joining forces to accelerate the growth of hydrogen mobility in Europe.
Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Toyota Motor Europe, Air Liquide and CaetanoBus to expand hydrogen mobility. The agreement aims to work more closely together to develop opportunities for hydrogen mobility projects in many European countries.
The goal is the cooperation for the creation of integrated ecosystems, where both the supply of hydrogen and the demand for vehicles are provided at the same time.
Air Liquide, CaetanoBus and Toyota Motor Europe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop integrated hydrogen solutions. This will include the development of infrastructure and vehicle fleets to accelerate the expansion of hydrogen mobility for both light and heavy vehicles. The cooperation reflects the common ambition of the three partners to contribute to carbon offsets and accelerate the development of local hydrogen ecosystems for multiple mobility applications.
The three companies will use their know-how to tackle the entire hydrogen mobility chain, from the production, distribution and supply of hydrogen from renewable sources or low carbon emissions, to development in different vehicle parts. Emphasis will be placed on buses, light commercial vehicles and cars, with the further aim of accelerating the heavy truck category.
By exploring common opportunities, the three main drivers of hydrogen mobility will contribute to the emergence of new hydrogen ecosystems across Europe, a key step in stimulating demand and facilitating hydrogen access for other mobility applications.
This includes infrastructure and refueling stations, as well as comprehensive vehicle offers (hire and service) to taxi companies, fleet operators, local authorities and others. The integration of different applications and projects in a hydrogen ecosystem, where supply and demand meet, aims to create a cycle that will allow the overall hydrogen infrastructure to mature further. This initiative represents another step in the process of carbon emission elimination, in line with the stronger focus of European governments and the readiness of hydrogen technologies.
“Toyota’s role is to bring hydrogen applications into the ecosystem and working with our partners, we want to accelerate and intensify the use of hydrogen as a carbon neutral solution for mobility. “This will gradually reduce the cost of hydrogen and its infrastructure, while improving the business case for many future applications, including mobility,” said Matt Harrison, President & CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.
A global leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and health, Air Liquide is present in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They integrate the scientific territory of Air Liquide and are the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.
CaetanoBus, a partner of Toyota Caetano Portugal and Mitsui & Co, is a manufacturer of buses and chassis in Portugal. The company has a unified supply of vehicles for cities and airports, which is the result of its technical ability to develop unique, customer-centric mobility solutions. CaetanoBus is also the manufacturer of COBUS, the global market leader in airport bus transportation. CaetanoBus has been focusing on electric propulsion since 1980.
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