AUSTIN, TX – In a surprise announcement, Elon Musk revealed that Tesla – the noted automotive manufacturer known for bringing and popularizing the concept of electric vehicles (EVs) into the mainstream consumer marketplace – will, starting in 2025, begin to pivot from electrics and instead start to focus on hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Hydrogen-fuel cell technology has existed since the early 19th century, it was only recently seen in automotive application when GMC introduced the Electrovan in 1966. Since then, the technology has continued to evolve, but the basics surrounding it remain the same, combining aspects of both gas and battery-powered vehicles.
Hydrogen powered vehicles utilize compressed hydrogen gas, which it converts into electrical energy and then transfers to the conveyance’s on-board battery to power its functions. This process entails separating the hydrogen molecules into positive and negative charges at the battery’s anode; after the charge is created to power the vehicle, the molecules are rejoined and form water, which is the only by-product generated by this completely zero-emission process.
A huge advantage that hydrogen powered vehicles would have over EVs would be refueling times; a typical EV currently takes as much as 30 minutes or longer for a full charge, whereas a hydrogen-powered vehicle could have their tank refilled in as much time as it takes to fill an internal combustion engine car with gasoline. In addition, hydrogen-powered vehicles would also have greater range than their EV counterparts, on par with gas-powered models.
Musk’s announcement is especially noteworthy because it represents an about-face from the tech mogul, as he was critical of hydrogen for a number of years, reportedly calling the fuel “extremely silly.” However, he clearly now sees the technology as the key to Tesla’s future instead.
Musk isn’t alone in his new view; automobile manufacturers such as Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus are currently working on developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, and experts say that the positive impact upon the environment will be immense when the technology is perfected.
Christopher Boyle is an investigative journalist, videographer, reporter and writer for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® as well as other independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher works on a wide variety of topics and fields, has been featured in print and online in a variety of publications, from local to national, and helps keep a keen-eye on what’s happening in the automotive world for Auto Buyers Market.