Advent’s Methanol-Based Fuel Cells Set New World Records For Cars Powered By Hydrogen And Electricity

Using Advent’s methanol-based H3 5000 fuel cells, ARM Engineering set the new world record for covering the longest distance driving an electric and hydrogen-powered vehicle without recharging or refueling. According to Business Wire, a team of drivers at ARM Engineering covered more than 2,000km in 40 hours while driving at a speed of 50km/h. ARM Engineering is a French-based company that aims to provide the mobility market with innovative and sustainable solutions.

Recently, the French-based firm developed a renewable synthetic methanol named G-H3. This innovative fuel can power electric and thermal cars, with electric vehicles relying on fuel cells. Advantages of H3 5000 fuel cells include affordable total cost of ownership, strong functionality, low maintenance costs, and long operating time. With that said, it’s clear that while solid-state batteries are a possible future fuel option for electric cars, there are other innovative and sustainable fuels that can power vehicles for longer. Read on to get insights into the future of fueling.

To lower the rate of greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles, auto manufacturers are looking for greener fuel alternatives, and algae might be a perfect option. Algae biofuel is a third-generation green fuel that guarantees long-term solutions for producing a variety of fuels used in internal combustion engine vehicles. These fuels include ethanol, butanol, biodiesel, and jet fuel.

Besides generating other fuels, algae has little impact on water resources because it’s biodegradable. Because of its ability to convert toxic carbon into useful oxygen, microalgae can combat global warming and its effects. Not to mention, microalgae can produce an oil yield of up to 25 times higher than palm and oil. Unfortunately, algae biofuel is yet to go mainstream because the technologies required to convert microalgae into sustainable fuel aren’t available.

The increasing need to fight climate change is forcing nations worldwide to reach net-zero emissions in the next few decades. Innovative companies are also at the forefront in providing valuable solutions across the spectrum of energy sources, including electric, petroleum, and other fuel alternatives. One valuable solution emerging as an alternative fuel to fossil fuels is hydrogen fuel cell technology. This technology depends on the chemical energy generated from hydrogen to produce electricity in a sustainable and effective way.

Hydrogen fuel cells offer many benefits when used to power electric vehicles. Besides achieving net-zero emissions, hydrogen fuel cells guarantee energy security, reliability, and scalability. Note that battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are not competitors, but complementary technologies. However, hydrogen fuel cells are more eco-friendly because of their renewability and zero emissions.

Biodiesel is gaining a lot of attention thanks to its ability to power diesel vehicles. Generated from animal fats and vegetable oil, biodiesel is a renewable energy source that could replace non-renewable fossil fuels. The advantages of using biodiesel in vehicles range from reduced carbon emissions to energy security and balance. Biodiesel also offers fuel lubricity, thus improving engine operation and guarantees safety because it’s less combustible.

Today’s consumers are conscious about their impact on the environment. As a result, key stakeholders in the automotive industry are looking for more sustainable fueling options to combat climate change. Promising fuel solutions of the future include algae biofuel, methanol-based fuel cells, biodiesel, and hydrogen fuel cell technology.