As the world transitions to carbon-free road transport and aviation, different companies and countries across the world are charting the path of zero-carbon vehicles and jets. Over the years, public transport and aviation have been the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Slovakia’s first-ever hydrogen-powered car has been unveiled at the much-awaited Expo 2020 Dubai. The move comes at a time when there are efforts to come up with technologies that will help the world realize its dream of tapping the energy from the universe’s most abundant element, green hydrogen.
The unique sports car shaped like a water droplet is expected to be a game-changer in the quest to find alternative transport vehicles powered by non-carbon emitting fuels. Speaking during the unveiling, a Slovakian renowned car designer had this to say:
“We studied water and we were inspired by its forms as well as colors and Slovakia believes in hydrogen technology.”
What’s interesting is the fact that apart from the zero emissions, the new hydrogen-powered sports car is has a top speed of 250km/h and is super quick off the mark. It can reach a speed of 100km/h within just four seconds, a factor that makes it one of its kind.
Undoubtedly, this is a great step, but there’s a catch. To make the project viable/feasible, the developers have to figure out how they will reduce the cost. Hydrogen fuel is currently four times more expensive than gasoline. “As the industry invents more, the cost might reduce,” said the developer.
In other news, a Los Angeles startup, Universal Hydrogen, is expected to test its first hydrogen product in an inaugural flight scheduled for next year. The announcement comes at a time when efforts to come up with technologies that convert hydrogen into electricity that can be used to run electric motors.
Universal Hydrogen was founded recently in 2020, but it’s already enjoying the huge support of big brands, including JetBlue Technology Ventures, GE Aviation and Tencent. Having secured huge investments, the company is set to help realize the much-awaited hydrogen fuel cells technology for aviation.
The fuel cell technology which is Universal Hydrogen’s first-ever product is expected to replace the traditional fossil-fuel-powered engines with new electric engines powered by hydrogen. The company expects to test the product and start selling it commercially by the year 2025.
“Aviation industry cannot wait for decades before new types of aircraft are developed and made available, and at Universal Hydrogen, we will help create a bridge to the new types of aircraft…” said Dave Andrew, the CEO of the fast-rising ASL Aviation Holdings.
Universal Hydrogen already has a couple of letters of intent from Ravn Alaska, Air Nostrum of Spain and Icelandair. The company hopes that in the coming years it will form ties with many others from across the world to help make the dream of having hydrogen-powered jets a reality soon.
