Hydrogen

The increase in the price of oil is a boost to those involved in alternatives. Hydrogen is one of a number of avenues being explored. The fact it releases nothing more than water when burnt probably gives it an edge, in terms of public perception at least, over alternatives.

It faces many challenges however. At present most hydrogen is made from fossil fuels, though it can be produced (at greater cost) using electrolysis, biomass, or genetically engineered algae. Storage is also a problem. Despite containing more chemical energy by weight than any other substance, by volume it is five times less powerful than natural gas.

Despite these problems major car manufacturers are showing an interest in hydrogen.

BMW have a prototype vehicle. Despite storing liquid hydrogen at -253C in a 170 litre pressurised tank it delivers a range of only 124 miles. Needless to say this would also raise the bar in terms of the technology required to refuel vehicles such as this.

Honda have gone one step further and begun the first commercial production of a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells. These use hydrogen to generate electricity and Honda claim a three fold improvement in efficiency over petrol engines.

Whether these vehicles are positioned to give their makers a genuine competitive advantage (anticipating a move towards mainstream adoption of this fuel), or to enhance their green credentials, is not clear. US actress Jamie Lee Curtis will, however, be among the first to take delivery of one of Honda’s vehicles.


Without taking anything away from Honda or BMW who have put up their money where others have only good intentions, the use of hydrogen as a fuel would be nothing new. Despite the well known application of hydrogen within the airship industry, a lesser known fact is that in the 1950s it was used as a 50% component of town gas in Britain.