has anyone invented an economic fuel cell for cars?

Question

I'm thinking of the future!!

Answer 1

Fuel cells are economic if you are NASA
they are economic if the full cost of fossil fuel were loaded on cars, see stern report & the deasths from deisel particulates, and the cost of replcement of used finite resources.

The main uneconomic part of fuel cells is the production and delivery of the hydrogen.

compare this to large scale LI-ion batteries (a fuel cell is only a glorified battery) currently available that can be refueld at home or work using the existing infrastucture (indeed they help balance the load demand to availability, especially if we have a high percentage of renewable sources.
these batteries have a 15 year life, can be recharged in 10 minutes & provide 200-300 mile range see 5 seat Phoenix SUT http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com or the Zap X lotus SUV, or the Tesla lotus sports car http://www.teslamotors.com

Answer 2

At this point, there are no commercially and economically feasible fuel cells available. Much effort has been put into them by most engine and auto makers as well as Research and Development Laboratories, Universities, and Governental Research Facilities world wide.

The fuel cell has efficiencies in the low 90% range, vs. 35 % for internal combustion piston engines. Think of it this way, a 30 mile / gallon piston engine car would become a 80+ mile / gallon fuel cell engine car. The economics are so favorable from a fuel cost standpoint that, were such available, they would be introduced almost instantly. People who state that the progress is stalled by special interest groups are really short sighted because, if for no other reason, the economic value of the fuel cell would force its introduction somewhere on the planet where the so called "special interest" group had no ability to stall it.

In the mid 1960's the first prototypes were introduced and refinements have been continually devleoped.

Fuel cell fuels are many and varied. Some use conventional fossel fuels or alcohols producing carbon dioxide and water exhaust just like piston engines. Others can use hydrogen which produces only water in the exhaust BUT the hydrogen has to be made by some energy intense source which probably will create carbon dioxide and water.

Contrary to what some answerers herein state you cannot use water as the fuel for fuel cells. You can use water as the raw material for hydrogen manufacturer.

Further, the fast food restaurants do not use their spent deep fat frying oil as a fuel cell fuel - but many are selling or giving it to others who make biodiesel from it. Biodiesel can be used to fuel conventional diesel piston engines - and I suspect could be used as a fuel for fuel cells once fuel cell performance meets performance criteria.

Let's hope that the Research and Development efforts by all world wide are successful. The world needs it.

Answer 3

Fuel cells for cars have always been too expensive. That's why I don't have one. Maybe Bill Gates can afford two or three, but on my budget they're out of the question. But like all these modern day gizmos, in a few months they'll be more affordable because something bigger and better will have come out. So wait until next Christmas to ask for one.

Answer 4

There has never been an economical fuel cell for any application, other than spacecraft. They contain expensive catalysts, like platinum, and are heavy, hot, and costly.

Answer 5

Not economical ones. Honda, AFAIK, is the only one with cars being used by the general public (a few people) for testing.

http://world.honda.com/FuelCell/

Answer 6

No, an ECONOMICAL fuel cell doesn't yet exist.

Answer 7

Please check out Joe Cell. www.thejoecell.com
There is a cheap inexpensive way to get hydrogen from water and he shows you how to do it step by step. Again, the government doesn't want you to know this stuff. This proses can be very dangerous though so please use caution if you are going to try it. I believe we have the brains in each of us to create these things, all we need is the desire.
The Prongster
http://w50scountry.tripod.com

Answer 8

There have been cars invented that run on water but the petrol moguls buy them out as it would mean losing business for them. It's all about money sad to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIgOn1kRw5s&mode=related&search=

Answer 9

Not yet....not cheap yet anyway. But they are working on it.

And for those that don't believe in this,I have a special car deal for you! Vist my dealership in Bedrock and speak to my salesmen, Fred and Barney.

Answer 10

Recently they unveiled a motorbike that ran on water,,,it produced hydrogen( I think) which was converted into electricity,,,the only exhaust that came out was water vapour.....Re invent that with top notch improvements and you`re a millionair