New technologies are rapidly bursting into our lives, changing many aspects and forcing us to reconsider our attitude toward certain things. This process affects various areas of activity, causing us to adapt to the realities of the modern world. Many are starting to eliminate fuel and electric engines, replacing them with hydrogen. This is especially noticeable in the automotive industry, whose products we encounter daily.
Volvo Penta D8 Stage 5 dual fuel hydrogen engine. Image credit: Volvo Penta
How are hydrogen engines used today?
Recently, many car and other vehicle manufacturers have begun actively introducing hydrogen engines. This was because of their environmental friendliness (they do not pollute the atmosphere with carbon dioxide), high efficiency, and low noise level. Thanks to these qualities, they have noticeably separated themselves from fuel engines, which all well-known car manufacturers are gradually abandoning. Compared to electric motors, hydrogen engines also have many advantages. The main ones are the fastest possible refueling and a much larger power reserve.
Today, many well-known automakers actively use hydrogen engines in their cars. Among the leaders in the number of models produced are Toyota, Audi, Honda, Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, and BMW. Their hydrogen-powered vehicles can be found not only in car dealerships but also at special auctions where they sell salvage, drowned and rollover damage models. In addition to cars, hydrogen engines are installed on buses, airplanes, submarines, and railways. They are also being actively introduced into the energy and other vital industries.
Prospects for use in the future
Hydrogen engines have a future that is as bright as possible. The main reason for this is the annual tightening of laws regarding the use of vehicles running on gasoline or diesel fuel. In this regard, all automakers must switch to electric and hydrogen engines as quickly as possible. The latter is a more attractive option for civilian vehicles. The gradual improvement of hydrogen engines will make them even more economical, safe and inexpensive. Thanks to this, they will begin to appear in various car racing, where they are still prohibited, and also be more actively used on dozens of other types of transport. Hydrogen engines will also become more widely used in various industrial equipment, becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly.
The hydrogen engine is a relatively young development, and its maximum capabilities have not yet been fully studied. Despite this, it can be found in modern cars and other land, water, and air vehicles. There is no doubt that in the future, all the shortcomings of the hydrogen engine will be eliminated, and it will become even more in demand than it is now.