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Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. On earth, it‘s found most often as the H in H20.

Hydrogen in Fuel Cell Vehicles

In a fuel cell, hydrogen from a tank (H2) combines with oxygen from the air (O) to produce water vapor (H2O) and electricity.

Fuel cell vehicles are completely zero-emission, electrically propelled vehicles, with a number of clear benefits:

• Only odorless, non-toxic water vapor from the tailpipe
• No smog-forming nitrogen oxides, particulates or hydrocarbons
• Silent vehicle operation
• As much as twice the fuel efficiency of diesel-powered vehicles
• Could help diversify our energy sources

One of the biggest challenges is that hydrogen bonds so easily with other elements that it does not exist naturally on earth in its pure form. This means that it takes energy to separate it from other elements.

So think of hydrogen as an energy carrier, rather than a fuel. In the ideal world, people would use clean, renewable wind or solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen would be recombined in vehicles' fuel cells, producing electricity. Essentially, the hydrogen would be carrying power from the wind or sun and putting it in your tank.

Taking the HyRoad

Currently, the most cost-effective means of producing hydrogen is not from water, but from natural gas. As part of AC Transit‘s HyRoad program, Chevron produces hydrogen from natural gas at the same location where the vehicles are fueled. By demonstrating fuel cell technology today, AC Transit and Chevron are exploring the potential for hydrogen as a transportation fuel of the future. Learn more about AC Transit‘s HyRoad program.

For more details on Hydrogen, check out our Frequently Asked Questions and our Press Releases, Research, and Resources page — or Contact an Expert.