There has been a scientific breakthrough that will ease cutting edge production of cars running on hydrogen fuel cells. The scientific milestone, announced in the journal Nature Chemistry, is a newly invented mechanism that makes hydrogen fuel from water using a new biomaterial that enables water to be separated into hydrogen and oxygen. The invention can also mix hydrogen with oxygen and generate electricity that powers car motors and releases water vapor, not toxic fumes produced by gas. Cars and trucks running on hydrogen fuel cells are considered vehicles that are the most environmentally clean.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, fuel cell cars and trucks can cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 30 percent. Honda plans to launch its Clarity mid-size sedan in 2017; the first model will be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and future models may include battery-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains as well. General Motors may have plans for hydrogen vehicles but has yet to make a public announcement. GM is moving ahead on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, a battery-electric car with 200 miles of range it will start selling at the end of this year. Three years ago in 2013 both Honda and GM announced they would jointly share their fuel-cell development efforts. Today the two companies seem to be putting that partnership into practice by jointly setting up a factory to produce fuel-cell stacks. Production is expected to start in 2025.
