Cars that consist of hydrogen fuel cells (FC) are essentially electric cars with the ability to make their own electricity. They are completely clean in terms of carbon emissions or other environmentally hazardous effluents.
These types of cars not only just emit water vapors but can also be fuelled faster than electric cars can charge themselves. Even though they sound like the future of cars, they are not widely in use as of now. This is because FC-powered cars are tremendously high-prices, and the infrastructure needed to make it is quite scarce.
A new product launched by Toyota might be able to solve some of the problems of FC cars. Its new product FC-module has the ability to be integrated into several types of transport such as ships, trucks, trains, and buses as well as transport stationary applications. This is a considerable development in Hydrogen Fuel Cells Market as the increase in demand for this new product will lead to a boost in the market. The module itself is highly efficient and can operate in high and low temperatures and even in areas where the oxygen level is limited. The maintenance of it is convenient. All these features collectively might lead to the FC-module becoming an attractive product for consumers interested in clean mobility and energy.
Toyota is one of the biggest companies when it comes to hydrogen-powered mobility. A few years ago, it released some of its FC patents in order to encourage manufacturers to make more hydrogen-fuelled cell cars. Now, with the new product, it is further set to contribute towards this sector.
The company has stated that the new FC module will come in two packages, i.e., horizontal and vertical. These different shapes will help engineers fit the modules better in various types of areas, although modules are essentially the same.
The module has the ability to produce 60 – 80kW of power with a voltage range going up to 750 V. It includes an air compressor, FC stack, water pump, boost converter, and hydrogen pump. However, the buyers would still need to connect the hydrogen supply, air cleaners, cooling devices, and something for electrical output. The company has stated that the cooling system and air cleaners might come to be already attached with the module, but as other things depend on the application, they will need to be added later.
In the future, hydrogen might consider as a helpful tool to store surplus energy from sustainable sources. This technology may lead to the development of more similar technologies for hydrogen fuel cell cars to come up, which might one day lead to a new era of silent and clean mobility.