How Nissan is innovating to bring hydrogen to the fore
Nissan is very well-placed at the front rung of this change-over in the automobile world as well as in the shift for clean energy with a concentration on hydrogen technology. For, the world can hardly be presented with a choice where such transitions are concerned; the FCVs are at yet one feasible alternative where the conventional gasoline-powered car can be replaced over time. Nissan has, for its past times, gained accolades for innovation on the side of technology for EVs; hence, the investment made in hydrogen is all part and parcel of this broader strategy on sustainability.
Hydrogen Technology in Nissan: The New Power in Future
Nissan interest for hydrogen technology dates back very long before the last years. The journey of Nissan with hydrogen dates back way back to 2005, when it presented one of the first fuel cell vehicles that were tested in real life – the Nissan X-Trail FCV. Since then, Nissan has further expanded its lineup of hydrogen-powered vehicles like the Nissan FCV and hydrogen initiatives in the center of efforts to cut the carbon footprint of the company.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity from a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen in the air. In that case, it suggests there is a chemical reaction acting to energize a motor in a vehicle. The only thing left behind in the process is water vapor. In that case, a hydrogen car would be an option of zero emissions as opposed to an internal combustion engine car. Relative to BEVs, hydro vehicles can be refilled with fuel within a few minutes and reach longer distances which would overcome some of the most glaring shortcomings for the same BEVs.
Hydrogen technology is one of the promising ways Nissan can achieve its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Not only does the company plan to use hydrogen in transportation, but also in other applications, including energy storage, home energy systems, and industrial uses-all of which could cut dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the global shift to clean energy.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Strategy by Nissan
Nissan is significantly behind in the technology of hydrogen. It has focused on developing partnerships and research into infrastructure that would make hydrogen viable for mass consumption. The most significant contribution Nissan has made to the hydrogen cause is the Nissan e-NV200, a hydrogen fuelled van that has been placed in most markets as a demonstration and test product. For instance, the e-NV200 hydrogen fuel cell technology in commercial vehicles reduces the emission in the logistics and transportation sector.
Nissan has diverted its attention from using hydrogen in its commercial vehicle markets. In return, the company also draws much attention to the hydrogen consumer vehicle markets. Being predominantly a battery electric company, Nissan’s future hydrogen-based would lead. Nissan believes that the fuel will support electric in the context of moving towards more cleaner energy especially in an area where the charging infrastructural facilities may be constrained or in the transportation long distances.
In fact, hydrogen’s critical obstacles for mass adoption are related to infrastructure: specifically hydrogen infrastructure. For example, Nissan has been collaborating with impacted governments, power suppliers along with other party’s associated with the network of refueling stations for hydrogen. Moreover, Nissan has been an active participant toward networks of refueling stations for hydrogen around the globe although with more emphasis in the jurisdictions of Japan as well as Europe.
Hydrogen: The Alternative for the Near Future of Battery Electric Vehicle
Even while BEVs are becoming mainstream, there is some upside with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The single largest advantage of hydrogen cars compared to BEVs is time for filling up. While the hydrogen car could fill like a gasoline car, may take just a few minutes, BEVs, however, take much longer time and even with fast charging, it takes an incredibly longer time.
Other advantages of range: Hydrogen cars go much further on a single refueling session compared to that of BEVs. These are very efficient while traveling long distances, and will be aptly applied for business operations such as trucking or bus transportation. This will give an added advantage making hydrogen cars a great complement to BEVs especially in the markets that have a main concern over a long distance and rapid filling.
The already tested, put into use on real roads, hydrogen-powered e-NV200 vehicles of Nissan prove that potential hydrogen fuel cells can deliver and reduce carbon emissions, paving the way for alternative sources of sustainable transportation. On this premise, Nissan moves forward to speed up adoption of hydrogen in key markets while developing hydrogen infrastructure. Challenges Facing Hydrogen Vehicles
Despite the promise that hydrogen is a clean energy source, there are considerable barriers that need to be overcome for hydrogen vehicles to gain an acceptance level. The biggest barrier undoubtedly is the cost; hydrogen fuel cells and their infrastructure, including refueling stations, cost an arm and a leg to build and deploy. Most of hydrogen is manufactured either through electrolysis or steam methane reforming; the two are extremely energy-intensive besides all hydrogen presently used being derived from natural gas which means naturally negates most environmental benefits.
For example, there are at least a few hydrogen refueling stations outside Japan and parts of Europe around the world. To exploit this great market, the country ought to have a genuine network of refueling stations, a network which will energize mass applications. Nissan considers this challenge when partnering with others in constructing the hydrogen infrastructure. In the near term, Nissan is committed to continue investing in the growth of its hydrogen portfolio. It recently announced that hydrogen will be an auxiliary technology to Battery Electric Vehicles and further plans to continue working in making hydrogen commercial while doing everything in its power to try and make the fuel cell more efficient.
Hydrogen, though forms a part of Nissan long-term game. There will be much more about this other than transport. Hydrogen has a place being an integral tool for low-carbon society since besides vehicles, hydrogen might even be used as energy itself for houses and even industrial purposes. For Nissan, fuel cells have been adapted not only into cars but also for the application of stationary power where the source of clean energy would be for homes, buildings, and perhaps the whole community.
Hydrogen technology is, after all in its infancy, and only constant investments coupled with technological advancement and developments in infrastructure make it thriving. Nissan, being involved with hydrogen fuel cell technology puts the company itself as part of the frontline in ushering this leap into future clean energy changes. At such efforts aimed at hydrogen vehicles, Nissan thus plays its contribution to frame the next future that turns green and to have lower emissions.
Conclusion
Nissan is leading aggressively in its journey to sustainability and carbon neutrality with hydrogen technology. While the technology is front-run by the leading hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the infrastructure development and work with industry players, who are pushing hydrogen closer as an energy solution, make it all worthwhile. In the core of this are the chances to complement electric cars and provide zero-emission transportation for a variety of applications. And hydrogen technology is perfectly poised to take a prominent place in Nissan’s vision for tomorrow.
Source:
The information in this article is based on publicly available resources from Nissan’s official website and industry reports on hydrogen technology. For further details, visit Nissan’s sustainability page and recent press releases.