InfoBits - Adam - Fuel Cell To Replace Electric Cars Already?

The University of Maryland has been working with the US Energy Board to standardize and create an efficient Fuel Cell that relieves the angst that goes along with an electric car and its range between charge-ups. These fuel cells do not rely on combustion like conventional engines, but chemical reaction.

The joint effort is one of many over the last decade or so on increasing the efficacy of new technologies and their place in real world applications of energy production.

Currently such limiting factors as heat production and variable costs have kept it from mass production. U of M will be looking to lower this heat problem in the next couple years from 900 degrees Fahrenheit to 350. On the other hand these fuel cells are considerably more efficient than combustion engines , and will be much smaller in size and weight. Wear and tear is another concern, as turning on and off such a volatile chemistry project in your car day in and day out will be sure to stress the mechanics. They will be employing the use of an electric battery that will keep the vehicle topped up in power, not to reach the extremes of energy use straight from the fuel cell...

The site where I found this: http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/39203/page2/