Literature Review

When in 2008 Top Gear (series 12 Episode 7) reviewed the Tesla Roadster Li-ion powered car, they concluded that it was not nearly as efficient as it was supposed to be, the batteries wear out, it takes ages to charge and the electricity comes from un-environmentally friendly sources. In the same episode they also reviewed the Honda FCX Clarity Hydrogen fuel cell car and concluded that it was the car of the future and it’s only problem was obtaining hydrogen.
The Tesla website which contains Straubel, J.B. (2008) ‘Roadster Efficiency and Range’, seems to be quite open with its information, but there are small vital pieces of information left out such as the data is gained from constant speed tests instead of the urban and extra urban standard tests used to compare current cars on the market. Other information is misleading such as the range figures being based on a 100% charge to an unknown discharge level when Straubel, J.B. (2006) ‘A bit about Batteries’ states that the Tesla will not charge beyond 95% to prevent battery life reduction. The Honda website featuring the FCX Clarity simply lacks any technical information. It turns out there is no direct scientific comparison of these two technologies.
Buchi, F.N., Inaba, I. and Schmidt, T.J. (2009) ‘Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Durability’ reveals the problems of degradation of the polymer dividers within Hydrogen fuel cells. Pilavachi P.A., Chatzipangi, A.I. and Spyropoulou, A.I (2009) ‘Evaluation of Hydrogen Production Methods Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process’ investigates Hydrogen production methods, their efficiencies and costs. Chan, C.K., Peng, H., Lui, G., Mcilwrath, K., Zhang, X.F., Huggins, R.A. and Cui, Y. (2007) ‘High-performance Lithium Battery anodes using Silicone Nanowires’ discusses using Silicone Nanowires as the anode instead of carbon or block silicone and the durability and capacity benefits of doing so.