How the fuel cell works
Even if it sounds technical, in reality, the principle of the car equipped with a heat pump is very simple. To operate, the battery is equipped with two electrodes, an anode charged with hydrogen, and a cathode supplied with oxygen drawn from the air. The two are then separated by an electrolyte and the hydrogen ions come into contact with the oxygen atoms, creating a continuous flow of electrons, water vapor and heat. This production of electricity will ultimately power the vehicle's electric motor and battery to make it run.
How is it revolutionary?
Needs that are easy to find
To produce energy, the battery does not need very complicated materials to obtain. Only hydrogen and air will be used to run the vehicle. These are indeed two easily accessible products.
A higher range
While standard electric cars have a range between 150 km and 250 km, cars equipped with a heat pump can go up to 700 km between each tank of hydrogen. Their range and recharging speed are even comparable to that of gasoline cars.
A greener solution
The heat pump is a more ecological solution since the vehicle fitted with the heat pump will only release vapor from water and not greenhouse gases. At the local level, pollution will therefore be reduced.
What are the limits of the fuel cell?
Ecological but…
Hydrogen does not really exist, it is necessary to be able to produce it, and for that, we must draw on fossil energy sources. This ultimately emits 10 kg of carbon monoxide per kg of hydrogen produced. A PAC car would emit carbon monoxide emissions of 100 g / km.
Produced in power plants through a process of hydraulic fracturing, hydrogen gas is far from being designed in the right way. ecological. It causes methane leaks, a greenhouse gas that is more harmful to CO2.
In use, this type of vehicle is still much less polluting than one equipped with a heat engine.
A cost too expensive
Due to the low volumes produced, the fuel cell is still too expensive, and equipped vehicles are displayed at exorbitant prices. Building a hydrogen distribution network would represent a colossal sum so, for the moment, the deployment of this type of vehicle is unthinkable.
If one day the CAP gains momentum, it will be used in a first to commercial vehicles. Most of them from large companies, they will have the financial means to convert to hydrogen. If you do not have the necessary funds, you will have to wait a little longer since the general public CAP is not yet for now!
