Fuelling the fuel cell vehicle

Sie sind hier: Homepage > Suche

Fuelling the fuel cell vehicle

Taylor, J.

A clear path for the introduction of fuel cells into vehicles is being clouded by uncertainty about fuelling. Indeed, the nature and availability of appropriate refuelling infrastructures will be a controlling factor on the rate of introduction of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), yet has been largely ignored by proponents of the fuel cell industry. This paper focuses on the requirements of FCV refuelling, focusing particularly on the private passenger vehicle. It reviews the challenges of on-board fuel storage and the addresses the onboard fuel processing vs. compressed hydrogen argument; it also points to how the time to Commercial viability for these vehicles will be influenced by the choice taken. Fuel choice and appropriate delivery systems require that the auto companies work closely with the refuelling companies in finding the best long-term solutions, rather than committing to FCV development work that takes no account of developments in refuelling technologies. The paper's purpose is to examine the factors influencing the ultimate commercialization of the fuel cell in the light duty (private passenger) vehicle market, and to outline profitable pathways to accelerate its acceptance. Its thesis is that focusing on hydrogen fuelling and onboard hydrogen storage will serve the FCV industry better than pursuing gasoline or methanol ftielling.