The Role of Gases in the Automotive Industry and the Green Mobility Trend

With the increasing severity of global climate change, the pursuit of environmental friendliness and sustainability has become one of the major trends in the automotive industry. At the same time, with the application of new energy gases in the automotive industry, green transportation has gradually become one of the key research areas in the automotive sector. This article will explore the application of gases in the automotive industry and the trends in green transportation.

Ⅰ. Application of Gases in the Automotive Industry

1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

As governments around the world increasingly prioritize environmental protection, the development of new clean energy sources has become a top priority. Hydrogen fuel is considered a highly suitable and eco-friendly energy source for the automotive industry. It utilizes the redox reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and power electric vehicles, making it one of the best solutions to address environmental and energy challenges in the coming years. The major advantage of this technology is zero emissions, as it only produces water vapor, thereby posing no pollution to the air environment.

Compared to charging electric vehicles, the process of refueling hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is much faster, similar to the process of refueling conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. Vehicle owners can complete the refueling process in a short amount of time without having to wait for several hours. In terms of range, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles typically have longer driving ranges. A single refueling can enable them to travel hundreds of kilometers, providing a longer range compared to traditional electric vehicles.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles indeed offer numerous advantages, but they still face some challenges at present. The production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen remain technical and economic challenges. Additionally, the manufacturing cost of fuel cell vehicles is relatively high, which limits their widespread adoption in the market. However, among other gas-powered vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles appear to be the most promising and feasible option.

2. Natural Gas Vehicles

Natural gas vehicles are a type of vehicles that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as their fuel source. CNG involves compressing natural gas into a liquid state for vehicle use, while LNG is natural gas cooled and liquefied to a low-temperature state. Compared to burning gasoline or diesel, natural gas fuel produces fewer exhaust pollutants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, making it a cleaner alternative to conventional fuel-powered vehicles. Therefore, natural gas vehicles are considered a more environmentally friendly transportation option, contributing positively to improving urban air quality.

Compared to other new energy vehicles, natural gas vehicles offer the highest level of cost-effectiveness. Natural gas is relatively cheaper in many regions, making it a viable and cost-effective fuel option for vehicle owners. Additionally, the widespread availability of natural gas makes it practical for various vehicle types, including sedans, passenger cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicle models, all of which can utilize natural gas fuel technology. The versatility of natural gas vehicles allows them to be a suitable and economical choice across different vehicle categories.

Indeed, natural gas vehicles currently face some challenges that are difficult to overcome compared to other fuel technologies. These challenges include the construction and investment in natural gas infrastructure, improvements in energy storage technology, cost competitiveness, and the geographical distribution limitations of natural gas. However, with technological advancements and increasing environmental awareness, natural gas vehicles may continue to grow and play an essential role in the field of clean energy transportation in the future. As research and development efforts progress, these challenges may be addressed, and natural gas vehicles could become a more prominent and sustainable solution in the transportation sector.

3. Bio-Methanol Vehicles

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol or methyl alcohol, is a simple alcohol compound. Bio-methanol is a renewable energy produced from biomass resources such as plants, crop residues, and waste materials. When applied as an automotive fuel, bio-methanol can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease reliance on traditional petroleum resources. By utilizing bio-methanol in vehicles, we can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.

Compared to petroleum and natural gas, the greatest advantage of bio-methanol lies in its renewable nature. Although it does produce a certain amount of carbon dioxide during combustion, the carbon dioxide released is reabsorbed by plants during biomass cultivation and production processes. This process mitigates its overall impact on the environment. Additionally, bio-methanol is compatible with existing automotive engines and fuel systems, making it a relatively straightforward alternative fuel to implement. It does not require significant modifications to existing vehicles, as bio-methanol can be supplied through refueling stations, making it relatively easy to promote and adopt as a viable substitute fuel.

One of the major challenges currently faced by bio-methanol is production technology and cost. Although the channels for obtaining bio-methanol are versatile, such as agricultural residues, wood, and waste materials, this flexibility allows bio-methanol production to adapt to regional characteristics and available resources. However, ensuring the maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness of bio-methanol production remains one of the key issues to overcome. Furthermore, due to the lower energy density of bio-methanol, larger storage space and fuel tanks may be required, which adds extra costs to its application.

Ⅱ. Green Mobility Trends

Green mobility trends represent a new approach to travel in response to climate change and environmental conservation in today's society. These trends primarily include the widespread adoption and development of electric vehicles, the promotion of green energy for power supply, the encouragement of intelligent transportation solutions, the reduction of individual car usage, and the promotion of public transport and shared mobility options. This movement aims to decrease vehicle emissions, lower carbon footprints, improve urban air quality, and enhance the efficiency of transportation systems.

Government policies and technological innovations continuously drive the development of green mobility, gradually making it the primary choice for daily commuting and contributing to sustainable development efforts.