Should Hydrogen Cells be the way forward for F1
Discussion
I'm sure many of you watched TG last night. Ironic then that after a week of bad press for Honda about pulling out of F1, that the brand is appearing on TG in what can probably be claimed as the most significant moment in motoring history since Henry Ford's first model T rolled off the mass production line...
OK OK I'm going to get flooded from purists, but we all have to wake up to the fact that oil is no longer a long term solution to power the motorcar. If you didn't see it last night, Honda are the first manufacturer in the world to go public with a production car that creates it's own electricity onboard to power electric motors. The source of the electricity comes from Hydrogen mixed in a clever way with Oxygen from the air and with some magic, creates electricity. The only waste that comes out of the exhaust is water!!
Could it be possible that instead of all this talk of KERS, that the F1 teams get together and propose that within 5-10 years (if not sooner) that everyone should aim towards using hydrogen cell powered F1 cars.
Can they be as fast I hear the 'head-in-the-sand' purists - well yes they can. It just needs some more tinkering and development and I think that F1 is the perfect proving ground to get the max from this new technology.
Ironic how Honda could actually be the long-term saviour for F1, despite it's current short-term drop out.
Interesting times ahead for electric cars me thinks... so come on F1, stick your money where your mouth is and if you really want to be seen as the greener alternative, ditch oil and go electric.
OK OK I'm going to get flooded from purists, but we all have to wake up to the fact that oil is no longer a long term solution to power the motorcar. If you didn't see it last night, Honda are the first manufacturer in the world to go public with a production car that creates it's own electricity onboard to power electric motors. The source of the electricity comes from Hydrogen mixed in a clever way with Oxygen from the air and with some magic, creates electricity. The only waste that comes out of the exhaust is water!!
Could it be possible that instead of all this talk of KERS, that the F1 teams get together and propose that within 5-10 years (if not sooner) that everyone should aim towards using hydrogen cell powered F1 cars.
Can they be as fast I hear the 'head-in-the-sand' purists - well yes they can. It just needs some more tinkering and development and I think that F1 is the perfect proving ground to get the max from this new technology.
Ironic how Honda could actually be the long-term saviour for F1, despite it's current short-term drop out.
Interesting times ahead for electric cars me thinks... so come on F1, stick your money where your mouth is and if you really want to be seen as the greener alternative, ditch oil and go electric.
I can see it happening on two accounts.
The automaker bailout was/is canned- the government do not want to spend on a negative externality such as the standard car.
-If they, the government, want to gain a competitive advantage, or any form of industry, for the next decade(s)they need to invest in something which is sustainable and adds value. Hydrogen cell cars can be the answer.
On a 2nd point, F1 needs to do pretty much the same. Clean up its act, and us its technology to develope road cars (it never used to be the case, but it is now).
Dr K.
The automaker bailout was/is canned- the government do not want to spend on a negative externality such as the standard car.
-If they, the government, want to gain a competitive advantage, or any form of industry, for the next decade(s)they need to invest in something which is sustainable and adds value. Hydrogen cell cars can be the answer.
On a 2nd point, F1 needs to do pretty much the same. Clean up its act, and us its technology to develope road cars (it never used to be the case, but it is now).
Dr K.
Edited by Dr KT on Monday 15th December 14:19
the amount of hydrogen required and the weight of the electrochemical cells would make them very uncompetive compared against todays F1 machines.
Petrol is the ideal fuel for vehicles as it is so energy dense. None of the alternatives come anywhere close. The future is in synthetic fuels (from waste) and high efficiency internal combustion engines.
Petrol is the ideal fuel for vehicles as it is so energy dense. None of the alternatives come anywhere close. The future is in synthetic fuels (from waste) and high efficiency internal combustion engines.
Ermm... I'd do some 'proper' research into the science/ramifications of running Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles before suggesting they could prove a viable future option for F1.
What's more concerning is that people believe what they see/hear on Top Gear!?!?!
Finally, see the other thread about HCVs.
What's more concerning is that people believe what they see/hear on Top Gear!?!?!
Finally, see the other thread about HCVs.
The way it was presented on TG - you would have thought Honda invented the fuel cell and were the pioneers of the technology.. 
and if anyone thinks oil is old fashioned .. one of the best methods of hydrogen production is from natural gas..
It took over 100 years+ to refine the petrol & diesel engines..
Fuel cells will take a while longer (not 100+ though..) and then there is the delivery problem to overcome , storeage and usage.
Anyone remember the Hindenberg ?
and if anyone thinks oil is old fashioned .. one of the best methods of hydrogen production is from natural gas..
It took over 100 years+ to refine the petrol & diesel engines..
Fuel cells will take a while longer (not 100+ though..) and then there is the delivery problem to overcome , storeage and usage.
Anyone remember the Hindenberg ?
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