History of the fuel cell
The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801. English engineer Francis Thomas Bacon created and demonstrated various alkaline fuel cells from 1939 to 1959.From the 90s, automakers were interested in fuel cell applications and demonstration vehicles were manufactured. In 2001, the first 700 bar (10000 PSI) hydrogen tanks were demonstrated.
Regarding the applications, fuel cells are used for all modes of transport: cars, buses, forklifts, trucks, boats, trains, planes and submarines. Besides being a mode of transport, fuel cells are also used in a wide range of applications for long-term energy storage for the grid in reversible systems.
Nowadays, stricter regulations on carbon dioxide emissions, increasing consumer awareness towards eco-friendly energy sources and the need to minimize our dependence on fossil fuels are boosting the fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) market.
History of the fuel cell
The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801. English engineer Francis Thomas Bacon created and demonstrated various alkaline fuel cells from 1939 to 1959.From the 90s, automakers were interested in fuel cell applications and demonstration vehicles were manufactured. In 2001, the first 700 bar (10000 PSI) hydrogen tanks were demonstrated.
Regarding the applications, fuel cells are used for all modes of transport: cars, buses, forklifts, trucks, boats, trains, planes and submarines. Besides being a mode of transport, fuel cells are also used in a wide range of applications for long-term energy storage for the grid in reversible systems.
Nowadays, stricter regulations on carbon dioxide emissions, increasing consumer awareness towards eco-friendly energy sources and the need to minimize our dependence on fossil fuels are boosting the fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) market.

How Fuel Cells Work
Fuel cells in vehicles generate electricity typically using oxygen from air and compressed hydrogen. Using chemical reactions, they convert hydrogen into electricity and water vapour.
The principle is based on the oxidation of a fuel and the reduction of an oxidant, resulting in the simultaneous production of electrical energy, water and heat.
Advantages of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV):
Fuel cell electric vehicles run on hydrogen. They are more efficient than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and produce no tailpipe emissions. They have the following advantages:
ZERO EMISSIONS
The only emission from a fuel cell electric vehicle is water vapour. Hydrogen is a clean fuel for cars with zero emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
QUICK REFUELING
Hydrogen refueling stations are quite similar to traditional gas stations. Since hydrogen-powered vehicles don’t need to be plugged in like battery-powered electric cars, the refueling process is much quicker
LONG DRIVING RANGE
Fuel cell electric vehicles also have a longer range than battery-powered electric cars. They now have a range of 500 to 800 km.
ZERO EMISSIONS
The only emission from a fuel cell electric vehicle is water vapour. Hydrogen is a clean fuel for cars with zero emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
QUICK REFUELING
Hydrogen refueling stations are quite similar to traditional gas stations. Since hydrogen-powered vehicles don’t need to be plugged in like battery-powered electric cars, the refueling process is much quicker
LONG DRIVING RANGE
Fuel cell electric vehicles also have a longer range than battery-powered electric cars. They now have a range of 500 to 800 km.