Hydrogen is the first element of the Periodic Table of Elements. This element has one proton being orbited with one electron. This is the most abundant and most explosive element in the world. It is very useful due to its lifting and explosive characteristics. One of the biggest sources of hydrogen is water. Although it is difficult to remove hydrogen from water it will be worth it due to the benefits of hydrogen. Overall hydrogen is a very good prospect in alternative fuels.

There have been many different types of hydrogen powered cars throughout the years. Many different companies have produced many different types of hydrogen vehicles with little success. The technology is one the edge of a major breakthrough that will make it much more economical and practical. Companies like Exxon, BP, and Shell all agree that hydrogen will be the fuel of the far future.(Mondello, 4, 2002) Even though they think this, they are pumping a large amount of money in to hydrogen fuel research so that they can buy up all the technology preventing companies from mass producing hydrogen cars. This makes it so that people are stuck with gas powered cars and have to buy fuel from these companies. In effect they are spending money to make money.

One type of prototype that is being developed by BMW is a hydrogen/gasoline hybrid. The car can switch from one to another by just the flip of a switch. This is a hybrid because there are not many places were there is a hydrogen fueling station so it can run on both. Gas companies are behind this because you are still buying their fuel but and they are making money.(Mondello, 4, 2002) A hydrogen/gasoline hybrid is one of the most popular forms of hydrogen power.

A main reason hydrogen has not caught on is the high amount of money that is needed to produce and purchase it. Gasoline costs about the same as a gallon of water in some places. Even though gas prices are skyrocketing they are still cheaper than hydrogen. In order for hydrogen to compete with gas and oil the price needs to come way down. Scientists believe that hydrogen can cost as little as 75 cents a gallon where gas is around 3 dollars a gallon.(Mondello, 5, 2002)

It is very easy to convert an internal combustion engine into a hydrogen power engine. You can also use hydrogen to heat and power you homes and mow your lawn. Hydrogen can also be used to produce electricity. Hydrogen has many more uses than gas in today’s world.

Hydrogen also is very environmentally safe. One reason it is safe is because the air coming out of a hydrogen powered car is cleaner than the air going in. Hydrogen engines will last much longer than current engines. This will happen due to the reduced heat and less buildup inside the engine.(Hydrogen Power Inc., 3, 2004) One of the main byproducts of using hydrogen is water so there are very little emissions. Using hydrogen is more environmentally friendly because used oil is commonly dumped into the ocean. Using hydrogen will reduce the amount of used oil thus reducing the amount of oil being dumped into the ocean.

Many people view hydrogen as an un-safe fuel, people think this way due to the explosive manor of hydrogen. People think that if you get in a crash that the car will explode. This has been disproved by BMW in crash tests of there hydrogen powered cars. These crashes showed that the cars did not explode when the cars crashed.(Mondello, 6, 2002) There is a greater chance of explosion in gasoline cars that hydrogen cars. The reason this is so is because hydrogen must have oxygen with it in order to be explosive. Pure hydrogen is not flammable so pure hydrogen is safer than gasoline.

Burning hydrogen is also much healthier than burning fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels causes pollution that is harmful to our lungs. Hydrogen does not give of any pollutants that are harmful to us. Burning fossil fuels gives off carbon monoxide that is fatal if taken in, in a large amount. This takes away all the oxygen in the area and becomes carbon dioxide. This robs us of oxygen which leads to death. Hydrogen does not give off carbon dioxide or any other gases that can kill us.

Hydrogen is the fuel of the future and it is inevitable to keep it from coming. It is a very efficient fuel and will change our lives forever.