A number of issues remain to be overcome with hydrogen, some of which are the lack of infrastructure, and the fact that hydrogen cells use a platinum catalyst — making the fuel cell extremely expensive. However, technological advancements are proving that hydrogen has strong potential for future use.
Liquid air
Another strong alternative to batteries is Dearman Engine‘s piston engine that runs on liquid air. As such, its manufacturing emissions are nowhere near as high as a battery’s manufacturing emissions. Even better, Toby Peters, Dearman’s CEO, believes the engine could be made of plastic or resin because of the properties of liquid air.
With proper insulation, liquid air could use existing infrastructures for distribution, and it could be stored in non-pressurized insulated tanks. As a bonus, energy stored as liquid air would allow “wrong time” energy produced by wind farms and other alternative sources to be stored for later use, instead of being wasted, and according to Green Car Congress: “A cryogenic engine such as the Dearman piston engine produces zero emissions at the point of use, has low greenhouse gas emissions provided the liquid air or nitrogen is produced from low carbon electricity, has energy and power density on a level with battery electric technology, and has the potential for rapid refueling.”
There are drawbacks to liquid air engines, and one is efficiency — liquid air is 60% efficient with ambient and 70% with waste heat. However, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. More pointedly, a proof-of-concept model has already been tested, and engineering company Ricardo, which built the McLaren racecar engine, has teamed up with Dearman and is building a commercial demonstration engine.
The future of BEVs
Right now, BEVs are being touted as a “green car,” and in relation to internal-combustion vehicles, they’re a step in the right direction. But that doesn’t mean they’re the right step. Because of their battery, BEVs don’t offer a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions — which is a major point for “green” cars. So are BEVs doomed? Probably not. But it’s unlikely they’ll become the “green car of the future” without a significant improvement in battery manufacturing technology. Consequently, from an investing standpoint, there are better options for the green-car investor.
The article Is This the End of the All-Electric Vehicle? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Katie Spence.
Fool contributor Katie Spence has no position in any stocks mentioned. Follow her on Twitter: @TMFKSpence. The Motley Fool recommends Ford and General Motors and owns shares of Ford.
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