Elon Musk's New Hydrogen Car
Elon Musk has just announced about the hydrogen car !
Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth and it consists of one electron and a proton. It can carry energy but it is not the source that which provides the energy. It can carry significantly large amounts of energy.
As we all know car manufactures and governments want to get rid of fossil fuels as the source of energy to a more eco friendly source of energy. Like using solar energy.
Using hydrogen isn't something new that Musk has ventured into, he has been experimenting with them for years now. When Musk tweeted he will be implementing the hydrogen batteries to tesla by 2024, it was quite surprising. Waiting to see what new changes and improvements he will be offering to the public with the hydrogen batteries to tesla.
Hydrogen is one of the most eco friendly elements, this also aligns with his goals of going green; by reducing fossil fuels. As you may know already governments and big named companies are trying to go green, and get hydrogen as a alternative fuel to fossil fuels.
Biomass, geothermal, solar and wind energy are sources of energy that are desired to be used, in place of fossil fuels. Because they provide green energy.
Musk has said the first vehicle that will be using the hydrogen energy will be called the model H. In the form of liquid or solid hydrogen can carry a lot of energy, researchers want to store that energy it in the form of electricity. Instead of using the batteries just when it is needed.
Instead of using a combustion engine tesla will be using a hydrogen fuel cells. You may be thinking what is the difference ? The combustion engine is more like a petroleum combustion engine. The difference is that petrol is replaced with hydrogen.
This method is not eco friendly, because hydrogen combustion happens because of nitrogen and oxygen. It produces Nox and that is also, not good like C02 and it contributes to global warming. It is being said that Tesla will not be using this method.
The first car that will be using hydrogen will be the model H, it will be using hydrogen fuel. Like all electric vehicles FCVE use electricity to power the electric motor. Unlike the other electric vehicles they produce electricity by using the fuel cells through hydrogen energy, instead of gathering electricity through a battery.
The model H has a dual classic colour. Since the car is based around racing model type vehicle vents, wings and splitters it shows power. It also has unique video cameras to replace the side mirrors. For reversing and turning the vehicle backwards, images are displayed beside the steering wheel; so the driver does not have to turn the head to look left or right.
The model H is powered by 6 electric motors, two for the front wheels and 4 for the back wheels. The graphene batteries are placed beneath the surface, to make better use for the vehicles weight balance structure. The model H comes with a five seater, but it has the 7 seater option as well to choose from.
SpaceX technology is used, to give the car a quick burst of speed. It will allow 60pmh in 1.2 seconds, but the range takes some hinderance because of that burst of speed; around 451 miles. The windshield is covered with gorilla glass.
From a aerodynamic perspective the vehicle has a full length floor diffuser, as it channels the air flow and cerates a substantial amount of air force downwards. That is essential to give high speed for the car.
The front vents has a set of flaps inside, to allow the air to flow in multiple ways. The car has a model system, which includes the bosch esp system modified to do multiple things. Like for the purpose of anti lock braking system and a engine control. The pillars are placed right on the compartment of the car, to give a better wide view and for efficiency when going at highspeed.
To accomplish this and more advanced features for model H and future electric cars, a great deal of investment is required. The hydrogen fuel cell cars need the capital invested to make the car, a acceptable fueled energy source. There needs to be a political acceptance and help to improve these vehicles.
The existence of hydrogen stations is very limited, this is another factor why there is not much fcev users. Storage of hydrogen in the vehicle, for long distance travels is a another difficult task too. To maintain the law and regulations, pertaining weight, volume, safety, and cost has been a issue for Musk.
Elon Musk has said it takes a great deal of space to store hydrogen in a vehicle, in liquid or gas forms. This is why the need for materials that are light weight hydrogen storage systems are required, to allow the vehicle to travel for long distances.