Fuel cell cars are vehicles that make use of Hydrogen as fuel.   Many vehicles on the market can be converted into these latest vehicle inventions. The idea of developing a car that runs on water as opposed to gasoline has come a long way since the original thought process. While fuel cell cars appear to a passing fad, it is well on the way towards becoming a revolutionary way for future driver travel.

A fuel cell was first introduced by Sir William Grove back in 1839. It was revolutionary and way ahead of its time. At the time of inception, many consumers were trying to figure out how a car functions utilizing water instead of gasoline. That did not deter Grove for a minute. He got started creating combinations of oxygen and hydrogen gases that would produce water formed electricity. From this idea the notion of fuel cell cars was created over 150 years ago.

At that time, the ideas of travel by car or horseless carriage were considered to be revolutionary methods of travel. Around this time there were large deposits of oil located in the Middle East. This placed the notion of fuel cell batteries at the back of the line. The idea would occasionally resurface as a science fair project or similar venue setting.  It was in the 1960’s that the idea was re-visited and brought back into the spotlight as an idea for vehicle travel.

A governmental agency searched for a way to travel with a fuel that was light weight and cheap. The answer was found in Hydrogen gas. Astronauts utilized this gas to explore various planets. Chances are Grove never imagined his original idea being utilized to take individuals to the realm of outer space.

Fuel cell is an ideal power source due to its safety from explosion aspect. Hydrogen burns in a clean manner eliminating the occurrence of air pollution. Fuel cell takes that hydrogen gas and turns it into water that can be used as fuel. This notion was put to the test in 1998 in the city of Palmdale.

Here it exhibited a 10 kilo watt energy that provided minimum power to a golf cart. Only two units could fit inside a car engine at any one time. Sales faulted due to no viable marketing plan to promote using a fuel cell over traditional gasoline. Further lack of refilling stations for Hydrogen also contributed to the idea of fuel cell vehicles never making it past the Palmdale area.

The original idea of fuel cell cars is constantly being improved upon. It is leading the way towards developing a car that carries hydrogen generation. This will pave the way for a vehicle to be self sufficient with a constant source of renewable energy available. Major car manufactures are trying out the idea by placing vehicles on the market as test cars to gauge consumer response. Fuel cell cars are quickly becoming the wave of the future. It is only a matter of time before these become a staple on the roadways around the globe.