The fuel cell vehicle analysis of energy use, emissions and cost

The energy consumption and emissions of fuel cell vehicles running on different primary fuels have been analysed. A dynamic fuel cell vehicle model was used to compare the fuel consumption of vehicles with a fuel cell with that of an internal combustion engine (ICE). The fuel consumption of the fuel cell vehicle is lower than that of the ICE, but in global terms the ICE consumes less energy whereas the fuel cell vehicle has a lower emission level. The fuel cell can play an important role in reducing emissions from the transportation sector. Prerequisites are, however a dramatic reduction in cost for the fuel cell system and the development of an infrastructure for the fuel. (C) 1998 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.