Environmental Effects

Hydrogen Cars

Created by Team HydroCar

Introduction

Environmental Effects

Pros

Gasoline and diesel, both petroleum based fossil fuels, have been the main energy sources for motor vehicles since the first time they were used in society. As the years have progressed from their induction into society, automobiles have become a more important part of our culture and many others around the world. This has lead to a great dependence for gasoline and diesel. Because these products are used everyday by millions of people it has lead to a negative side effect on the environment around us.

There are not only environment effects, but also health related issues to this problem. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or E.P.A., “Nationwide, two-thirds of the carbon monoxide emissions come from transportation sources, with the largest contribution coming from highway motor vehicles. In urban areas, the motor vehicle contribution to carbon monoxide pollution can exceed 90%.” Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that replaces oxygen in the red blood cells, reducing the amount of oxygen transported to the body cells for respiration. Continued lack of oxygen affects the brain and heart, and death can result from deep or prolonged inhalation of carbon monoxide.

One solution to the problem of not only the limited supply of fossil fuels, but also the environmental effects of elements that come from motor vehicles, like carbon dioxide, is hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen is formed into energy through combustion and the only thing it releases is water. Although when hydrogen is burned in an internal combustion engine, small amounts of nitrogen oxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide are emitted due to engine lubricants, but carbon dioxide is not. Fuel cell vehicles have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 104 million metric tons.” ( U.S. E.P.A.)