Earlier I cautioned about government and the auto industry adopting battery powered electric cars as the future for personal and commercial vehicles, and offered that there may be other potential options such as fuel cells or direct hydrogen combustion. NewEnergy2040 subscribes to a philosophy of choosing the best technology. Battery powered electric cars may be the best, but also as I’ve said, there could be something better. Could it be hydrogen? I can’t be sure, but I also know that there have been a few recent developments in the hydrogen world that could potentially show great promise.
One such example is Aquarius Engines, based in Israel, who has developed a piston engine that operates exclusively on hydrogen (Reference their news release, “Aquarius Engines Unveils New Hydrogen Engine That Overcomes Fuel Cell Shortcomings”, dated May 18, 2021). This engine could be a direct replacement for traditional combustion engines while offering major advantages including simplicity, a lightweight streamlined design, high efficiency, and an innovative combustion process that greatly reduces, almost eliminates, emissions. Best technology? Maybe! Tons of promise? I think so! Other examples of hydrogen engine develoment include Toyota’s Mirai which uses fuel cell technology where hyrogen reacts chemically with oxygen producing electricity to directly power an electric motor. Secondly, they also are working on a pistion engine powered by hydrogen that could also be a direct replacement for conventional combustion engines similar to the Aquarius design. Again, best technology? Maybe! Tons of promise? For sure!
Unfortunately the new administration seems to be racing headlong down that road of battery powered electric vehicles at breakneck speed while, I believe, failing to see curves up ahead or missing possible turnoffs that could lead to better destinations. Slow down, Joe! We need to get this right!