Introduction
One of the most efficient and ideal types of alternative fuel vehicles that have minimal pollution capabilities and a low energy consumption rate is Fuel Cell vehicles, which are also defined as a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEVs). Indeed a fuel cell vehicle has zero-emission because of the nature of the technology that is designed to power this type of vehicle. Theoretically and in practice, a fuel cell vehicle is powered by pure hydrogen, which is combined with oxygen to provide the necessary level of energy into the engine that is needed to power the vehicle (Energyquest.org, 2002).
Because oxygen is readily available in the environment all that is needed in this equation is the production of pure hydrogen, which is stored in the vehicle’s fuel tank. The chemical reaction that takes place in the engine of fuel cell vehicles is a combination of pure hydrogen and oxygen from the air whose ends products are energy and water (Energyquest.org, 2002).
The combination of hydrogen and oxygen in the engine results in the formation of heat, which gives rise to steam; it is this steam that is channeled to the pistons of the engine to mechanically propel the vehicle (Energyland.com, 2004). Since combinations of these two elements do not need additional elements to effect combustion in the engine, the end products of this reaction do not include carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, as is the case with petroleum-fueled vehicles.
Environmental Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the inherent advantages of fuel cell vehicles is found in its nature of emitting zero-rate waste products, which is the reason that it is referred to as a Zero-Emission Vehicle. Indeed production of water as the only waste generated by the vehicle is not surprising when you consider that the input of raw materials that the vehicle needs is just hydrogen and oxygen (Energyland.com, 2004).
For this reason, it is probably the only vehicle that has zero adverse environmental impact. The second advantage of fuel cell vehicles is evident in its nature of environmental sustainability. Because fuel cell vehicles do not rely on fossil fuels or any type of fuel or energy that impacts the environment in one way or another it means it still has no adverse impact on the environment as far as energy use is concerned. Thus, on a scale of ten, this is one type of vehicle that can easily score all the points because of its zero-emission and consumption rate. It is so efficient that it has no disadvantage at all, except perhaps the fact that it is expensive to maintain and not widely available at the moment.
Economic advantages and disadvantages
Fuel cell vehicles can be summed as very economical and cost-effective to maintain; this is because all that they need from time to time is replenishing of pure hydrogen, which functions as the fuel for the vehicle (Romm, 2004). The oxygen that is used to combine with the hydrogen is not needed since the vehicle is designed to use the oxygen from the environment. The downside to using this vehicle at the moment is because technology is extremely expensive, but which is not expected to remain so in the future other factors include low energy content and costly refueling infrastructure (Kreith, 2004).
Why your selection is better than the other choices
Foremost, fuel cell vehicles do not need to rely on fossil fuels, as is the case for vehicles that use natural gas or even electric vehicles; this is because even electric vehicles also rely on fossil fuels to generate electricity in the first place. Also, fuel cell vehicles have zero impact on the environment and are sustainable; for most other vehicles the waste products lead to waste degradation or are not sustainable because fossil fuels and electricity are not renewable sources of energy. Finally, fuel cell vehicles do not require a long time of recharging as is the case with electric vehicles.
References
Energyquest.org. (2002). Fuel Cell Vehicles – the ZEVs of the future? Web.
Energyland.com. (2004). Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Web.
Romm, J. (2004). The Hype about Hydrogen, Fact and Fiction in the Race to Save the Climate. New York: Island Press.
Kreith, F. (2004). Fallacies of a Hydrogen Economy: A Critical Analysis of Hydrogen Production and Utilization. Journal of Energy Resources Technology 126: 249– 257.