Williams has been researching fuel cells since the 1960s and believes there has actually been little fundamental progress in the last three decades. People have put millions of dollars into engineering things, but not into fundamental research, Williams says. I remain optimistic that the fuel cell problem can be solved, but it s got to be through good catalysis research. If anyone resolves the issue, it will be the car companies. They are driven by the need to meet environmental regulations, but they must also meet the public s expectations of comfort, space and a good driving range between refuelling stops.
Improved efficiency is vital if hydrogen-fuelled cars are to manage both.
To make the fuel go further, some motor manufacturers are bypassing fuel cells altogether. BMW will unveil a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled cars at the Expo 2000 fair in Hanover, but they won t contain any fuel cells. We burn the hydrogen in a novel combustion engine, says Gubitz. BMW feels it is more efficient than converting hydrogen s chemical energy into electricity, and then to mechanical power for driving the wheels. Our intention is to produce a normal car with a second storage place for hydrogen, Gubitz declares.