What kind of fuel cells will be used in passenger cars?
The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is currently the technology being used to power passenger vehicles. PEM fuel cells have a high power density, so they can be smaller, lighter, and take up less space than other fuel cell technologies. In addition, the PEM fuel cell operates at low temperature, starts quickly, is very responsive to changes in power requirements, and is less sensitive to orientation than some other cells. All of these attributes make the PEM cell a good match for transportation applications. Other fuel cells that may be used in highway vehicles include phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Phosphoric acid fuel cells are typically larger than PEM fuel cells and require a longer startup time, so they are being developed for large city buses and long-haul trucks. Direct methanol fuel cells are a relatively new technology that may also be used in passenger cars and other vehicles.
