Is A Hydrogen Car Feasible? If Yes, When Will Commercial Production Start?
Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. And yes, not only is a hydrogen car there have already been built, although their commercial production might take a little more time than one would expect. It is envisaged that in about a decade time, near commercial models may be available for extended demonstration of hydrogen use in automobiles. Small power generating systems are also likely to be ready by that time.
Hydrogen energy is at present only at the Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) stage. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is supporting a broad based RD&D projects on different aspects of hydrogen energy technologies including hydrogen production, its storage and utilization for stationary, motive and portable power generation applications using internal combustion engines and fuel cell technologies. The focus of RD&D efforts in this area is directed towards development of new materials, processes, components, sub-systems and systems.
As a result of RD&D efforts made in the area of hydrogen energy, laboratory level prototypes of hydrogen fuelled motorcycles, three wheelers, engine-generator sets, and water/methanol electrolysers for hydrogen production have been developed. About 15 hydrogen fuelled motorcycles are being demonstrated in the campus of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Hydrogen catalytic combustion cookers have been developed. Facilities for dispensing hydrogen blended compressed natural gas fuel have been set up in Faridabad and Delhi.
It’s not a matter of ‘If’ anymore, but a matter of ‘when’. The future of gas production companies that sell or build hydrogen plants and hydrogen generators looks bright indeed, as they will control a large market in the coming future.
