Top Hydrogen Fuel Vehicles: Understanding Price and Availability

As more people become concerned about the environment, there is increased interest in the opportunities for hydrogen fuel vehicles. The hydrogen fuel cell can be adapted for use in almost any type of car, assuming you can fit the hydrogen tank inside your boot, or the engines. You may also find you can get a car fitted with a number of different types of hydrogen cells. These can be bought from both large car manufacturers and smaller independent companies. While there has been some interest in both hydrogen cars and electric cars, more companies have only made small prototypes which are not available to the general public.

Honda

Honda is probably the largest car producer committed to long-term production of hydrogen fuel vehicles. They have been making fuel-cell cars since 1999. The first one called the FCX, and an update called the FCX Clarity. While sales have been limited to around 20 in the United States, and it has been estimated to cost around $1-2 million dollars, the company is still anticipating further production of more advanced FCX versions. In the future, with proper development, these may be the first affordable public hydrogen fuel cars, but they are still exceedingly costly, and this reduces their ability to function as efficient vehicles.

General Motors

General Motors are one of the biggest makers of cars, but they reduced their production of hydrogen cars in 2009, due to the problems caused by the looming recession. In the future, the economy may pick up, and they will produce the Sequel, which is designed to be a hydrogen fuel vehicle made for the general public. Although, the 2009 costs suggested it may run around $400,000 to purchase. General Motors suggested they can continue to produce fuel-cell and electric cars, and estimate that their hydrogen cars should be workable by 2015. Though, General Motors is one company that considers the hydrogen car to be a long way away.

Toyota

Toyota makes a range of hydrogen fuel vehicles which are combined with more traditional gas models, such as the FCHV-4. The FCHV has two hydrogen tanks in the boot over the past rear wheels. The Toyota also comes with a number of different tank valves which can help to close the hydrogen fuel if there are a signs of a leak, which can be very useful. The Toyota's system is a hybrid vehicle which also combines a gas engine synergy system which is found in their other electric cars.

Hyundai

Hyundai makes a number of fuel cells cars, and are now into the second generation of their hydrogen vehicle. The FCEV, the first generation vehicle, was capable of starting even in freezing conditions. This was a considerable improvement upon other hydrogen cars, which needed to be relatively warm. The Tucson can start at a low point of -20 degrees.