Fuel cell vehicles commercialization challenges

The Biggest Challenge for Fuel Cell Vehicle Commercialization... 

The newer, more efficient, cleaner cars will emerge not from a wagon maker s garage, but from well-funded research projects. The new technologies range from the relatively familiar hybrids with both gas and electric power to the more exotic fuel cell vehicles which are, in essence, electric cars. The future presents unique challenges and opportunities on the way to successful commercial application. 

The PEMFC system has seen such an important development in the last ten years that it would be impossible to describe in few lines the extent of its application. The transport area is surely the most challenging. After fluctuating periods, serious advances have been made on the cost and efficiency levels. Daimler is announcing a well-planned market entry for a fuel cell vehicle in 2014. US and Japanese developers are also ready. Already there are several buses fleet in many European, American and Asian cities. Light portable applications have their niche markets and numerous PEMFC units are already in use for residential applications, most particularly in Japan. In Canada, the first commercial benefits from PEMFC systems have been registered in the three last years. Moreover, the intense research activity on membranes and the opportunities offered by higher operating temperatures and relatively low humidity open an important field of development. 

US DOE (Department of Energy) has set technical targets in PEMs for transportation apphcations (Table 7.1) [1]. The targets are for gas crossover (permeability), area-specific resistance, operating temperature, cost, and durability. In 2015, car companies will make a decision whether they continue their endeavor to commercialize fuel cell vehicles. The membrane scientists are facing a big challenge in order to help them go further with fuel cells. 

California has started a Fuel Cell Partnership with oil companies, automakers and fuel cell companies. They hope to have 50 fuel cell vehicles, both passenger cars and transit buses, on the road by 2003. The goals of the program include demonstrating vehicle performance, identifying fuel infrastructure issues and addressing commercialization challenges (41). 

---