(THE GIST OF PIB) Safety Evaluation of Hydrogen Fuel cells based vehicles

[October-2020]

Safety Evaluation of Hydrogen Fuel cells based vehicles

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the Standards for Safety Evaluation of vehicles being propelled by Hydrogen Fuel cells through an amendment to Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989.

Key highlights:

• It would facilitate the promotion of Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) based vehicles which are energy efficient and environment friendly.
• HFC vehicles are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars.
• Unlike other electric vehicles, HFC vehicles don't get its power from a built-in battery but instead have their own power plant on board - the fuel cell.
• HFC is a fuel cell that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity with water and steam as the only by products.
• Fuel cells are electrochemical devices to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
• They do not need periodically recharging like batteries and produce electricity as long as they are supplied with a hydrogen and oxygen (usually air) source.

Benefits: 

• To eliminates pollution.
• To reduces dependence on oil and gas imports, 
• To use higher electrical efficiency, noise-free operation.

Limitations of HFC: 

• The high cost of equipment, 
• To issues with storage of hydrogen gas, 
• The maintenance issues (like corrosion).

Applications:

• Stationary sector (to power buildings, isolated houses etc), 
• Portable sector (military applications like portable soldier power, electronic devices etc), 
• Transport market.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL PDF

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD UPSC E-BOOKS

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

Get The Gist 1 Year Subscription Online

Click Here to Download More Free Sample Material

<<Go Back To Main Page

Courtesy: PIB