Low Carbon & Fuel Cell Technologies

In an automotive context, low carbon technologies are those that can help reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.  They fall broadly into four categories:

• lightweight materials for vehicle weight reduction
• powertrain development for improved fuel efficiency; including advanced internal combustion engine technologies, as well as electric and hybrid electric powertrains
• driveline developments for improved system efficiency based on advances in mechanical and electric components
• the use of alternative fuels, including biofuels, that can help lower well-to-wheels carbon dioxide emissions. 

In terms of energy efficiency and performance, fuel cells represent the most promising alternative to the internal combustion engine. These electrochemical devices produce electricity and heat from the combination of hydrogen and oxygen, with the only by-product being pure water.

The oxygen for fuel cells comes from air, but the hydrogen needs to be produced, either by releasing hydrogen from fossil and renewable hydrocarbon fuels, or by using electrolysis to obtain hydrogen from water. In future, a 'hydrogen economy' is expected to develop, fuelled by hydrogen generated using electricity from renewable sources, thereby offering the prospect of energy supply with no associated carbon emissions.