Future of cars and they are not electric: in Spain they are already sold with this new type of engine

Spread the love

By John Smith

A new technology could give an unexpected turn to the current evolution of automotive transport : the development of cars and other 

vehicles that run on hydrogen and that already have a small but significant presence in Spain. These are two Asian models belonging to the Hyundai and Toyota brands.

Although they have been on the Spanish market since 2018, their sales have been quite limited until now , partly due to ignorance of their advantages as an alternative to gasoline cars, and partly due to their high prices, well above those of the electric cars, which are not exactly economical. In 2022, only 4 units were sold with this system, and so far in 2023, only 5 have been sold. But it is a situation that may be about to change.

How hydrogen cars work

The hydrogen cars currently circulating in Spain are officially known as FCEV vehicles ( Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle ), and they work in a similar way to electric cars, although with some substantial differences.

Read More :-   This is the magic behind Amazon Mexico logistics

Electric cars need to be plugged into an external source to recharge the batteries that power the electric motors. Hydrogen ones, on the other hand, use this element, which is stored in tanks inside the car, to generate a process known as electrolysis, when it comes into contact with the oxygen present in the fuel cell, and thus generates the electricity necessary to maintain one or more electric motors in operation.

It should be mentioned that another type of hydrogen engine is currently being developed in Europe and Asia that works in a similar way to gasoline and diesel combustion engines, although replacing these fuels with hydrogen.

Advantages and disadvantages of this new technology

The first advantage of basing automotive technology on hydrogen is that it is one of the most abundant elements in the Universe , and that cars that use this element do not produce polluting emissions. They are silent cars, with a range that is double that of electric vehicles and can be recharged in a time similar to that of gasoline cars, in just 5 minutes.

Read More :-   Rapid growth in air suspension market as electric vehicles drive demand

We have already mentioned one of their main disadvantages: they are much more expensive than electric ones and in current designs the tanks take away space from the trunks . Another problem is that there are currently few recharging points, hydrogen stations, in Spain. Although it is something that could change if this system becomes popular in the country.

Hydrogen vehicles that can be purchased in Spain

As we noted at the beginning, at this time there are only two car models that run on hydrogen and can be purchased in Spain: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo.

The first was launched in 2015 and has a platform similar to that of the Lexus. Almost 5 meters long, the Mirai can travel up to 650 km before needing to recharge its hydrogen tanks . It is a car that can reach a speed of 175 km/h, go from 0 to 100 km in 9 seconds and has an approximate cost of 75,000 euros.

Read More :-   Mazda CX-30 fully equipped with high-end safety equipment launched

The Hyundai Nexo has been on the market since 2018 and is a little smaller than the Mirai, at 4.6 m, and a 163 HP electric motor with which it can go from 0 to 100 km in 9.5 seconds, supported by 3 hydrogen tanks that give it a range of 670 km and can be recharged in less than 5 minutes . This model has an approximate price of 73,000 euros. As historical data: the Nexo is the first hydrogen car marketed in the Spanish market (2018)

.


Spread the love

Leave a Comment