How can hydrogen power a vehicle?
Hydrogen can power a vehicle using a fuel cell
In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen atoms are separated into two primary components: one proton and one electron. The positively charged hydrogen protons pass through the fuel cell where they meet oxygen from the air on the other side. The electrons, however, head a different direction, creating an electric current which can power a fuel cell electric motor. The electrons then meet back up with the hydrogen ions and oxygen molecules from the air at the end of the process, creating water as the only emission..
Hydrogen can power a vehicle using an internal combustion engine (ICE)
Hydrogen combustion engines work in a similar way to petrol/ diesel engines. They ignite compressed hydrogen gas in the engine cylinders, which turns the engine and delivers power to the wheels. The issue with hydrogen is that it has different flame properties such as faster flame speed, hotter temperature, etc. so you cannot put directly into a standard ICE. Typically, engines are upgraded to modify the internal nozzles to account for hydrogen’s properties.
