Paper Example on Tech Advances Drive Automotive Industry: Crude Oil Price Uncertainties Rise

Introduction

The pace with which technology is advancing with in the current epoch is almost immeasurable. Intensification in technological innovation is indisputably sweeping all spheres of human living across its course. As a consequence, improvements in science and technology are making life more efficient in terms of both quality and cost saving. The automobile industry is one category where major technological breakthroughs are being achieved presently. Uncertainties posed by the world's crude oil prices and its availability have pushed car developers to seek alternative fuels. Therefore, the Solaris Urbino 12 (Hydrogen Concept) that will primarily run on hydrogen is being developed as an alternative fuel.

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Developers of the Solaris Urbino 12 (Hydrogen Concept)

The chief developer of the Solaris Urbino 12 (Hydrogen Concept) is the Solaris Bus and Coach Company. In essence, the company is Polish and specializes in the production of vehicles used within the public transport domain. Its headquarters is based in the city of Bolechowo-Osiedle next to Poznan. More so, Muhammed (2018) confirms that the company is widely regarded to be the leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art public transport vehicles such as buses, trams, and trolleybuses.

Reasons for Choosing the Hydrogen Concept

The pivotal reason behind settling on the Hydrogen concept is centered on the current technological trends. Current developments in the overall sphere of technology are primarily inclined to environment conservation. In the recent past, technological innovations were less concerned with the preservation of the environment. As a consequence, Mother Nature has outpoured its wrath through several catastrophic phenomena attributed to global warming. Therefore, the need to conserve the environment was the basis for choosing the hydrogen concept since it is an eco-friendly fuel alternative.

The Superiority of the Hydrogen Concept Over Gasoline

The use of hydrogen gas presents several superior elements as compared to using gasoline. Chief among them is the fact that hydrogen is a clean fuel compared to gasoline. Using gasoline is a leading cause of pollution. On the other hand, using hydrogen as a fuel has minimal environmental pollution effects.

Additionally, hydrogen fuel is readily available, and every nation is accessible to it. Conversely, gasoline is limited to the oil producing nations, and its price is at times influenced by international issues such as wars, diplomatic wrangles, terrorist activities, sanctions, and more.

The Solaris Urbino 12 (Hydrogen Concept) Cost

The Solaris Bus and Coach Company which is currently the sole developer of the Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen Concept has not made public the total cost of the bus. According to Li (2018), the fact that the bus is still under production and its official unveiling is set for June 2019 has made it impossible to estimate the total cost of production. However, once the output of the first coach is completed, then the company would be able to provide an accurate value of the Solaris Urbino 12 (Hydrogen Concept) bus. As at present, only estimate and speculative expenses are available.

The Working of the Solaris Urbino (Hydrogen Concept)

First and foremost, Hagos (2017) confirms that the energy required to power solari's driveline will be gotten from the fuel cell and a single refueling will exceed 217 miles. A Solaris' small traction battery, high power of 29.2 kWh would also be fitted on the vehicle whose function would be to support the fuel cell during significant energy demand (Hagos, 2017). The power emanating from the cell would be used to charge the battery. According to Ahlgren (2017), it will be achievable to recharge it using a charging outlet which is plugged in.

Also, Amundsen (2018) indicates that an axle which has electric motors that are dual and are intergrated with a power, nominal of 60 kW will each the drive unit. The bus, which is twelve meter would be in a position to carry maximum of 80 passengers. More so, the electric energy used to propel the bus will be sourced solely from hydrogen (Amundsen, 2018). As for the battery, it will only be used to provide support. Latest 60kW fuel generating cells would be equipped in the twelve meter Solaris Urbino hydrogen concept vehicles.

More to the point, storage of gydrogen will be keenly inside composite tanks that would be located on the roof of the buses. For safety purposes, Hovi (2018) states that the total volume of the tanks will be decreased by roughly 20% in comparison to the previous bus models. Additionally, Sundvor (2018) states that the need to ensure the optimal reduction of energy use within the vehicle will necessitate the need to fit a climatic comfort system with the CO2 heat pump. Their system will make it possible to put into use the waste heat coming from the fuel cell.

Advantages of the Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen Concept

Nevertheless, among the core advantages of the Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen concept car is the fact that it would be deriving power from a hydrogen fuel (Li, 20180. Therefore, the hydrogen concept would widely help in environmental conservation since the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel is more eco-friendly compared to gasoline.

Moreover, the technology applied in the hydrogen concept would increase the overall mileage of the buses. According to Muhammed (2018), the buses would be in a position to cover long distance using a single refueling for beyond 350 km. Besides, Figenbaum (2018) confirms that the vehicle would also be fitted with a High-Power battery having29.2 kWh aiamed at supporting the fuel cell when the demand for energy is most significant.

Besides, Hagos (2017) assures that it would be possible to recharge it using a plug-in charging outlet ( just like in the standard electric buses). More so, the twelve-meter bus will have a huge passenger capacity since it will be in a position to carry maximum of 80 travelers (Hagos, 2018).

Disadvantages of the Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen Concept

It is worthy of understanding that the fact that the bus is yet to commence operation has made it hard to be able to identify its disadvantages. Hence, once the bus starts operations or the company put it on the road for testing, then will it be possible to identify several of its disadvantages. However, one paramount downside of the Hydrogen concept vehicle is the cost implication. Production of the Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen concept bus is costly compared to almost all the previous versions of buses produced by the company. The high level of technology involved in its production is principally the basis of its high cost. In the future, however, mass production of the buses will help to cut on their cost.

Availability of the Concept to the General Public

The manufacture of the Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses; Solaris Bus & Coach announced that the buses would be available to the public as from June 2019.

Alternative Uses of the Hydrogen Concept

Moreover, the hydrogen concept is as well used in other applications such as the aviation industry. Hydrogen powered aircraft have been developed where hydrogen is either used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity to power a propeller or burning the hydrogen in a jet engine or an alternative combustion engine (Jordbakke, 2018).

What's more, the success of the hydrogen concept in the automotive world stands a high chance of excellence. Application of the idea in the aviation industry was a success; thus; its success in the automotive world is no doubt considering it was able to succeed in the more technical aviation industry. The high shift to green and renewable energy usage and the abandonment of the use of fossil fuels in the pursuit of environmental conservation is a gravitas catalyst that would ensure scientists and other developers stop at nothing in realizing a successful hydrogen concept. Also, the perennial uncertainties and the depletion of oil reserves have necessitated seeking permanent alternative and renewable fuel sources such as hydrogen. Therefore, continuous research will continue until the success of the hydrogen concept in the automobile world becomes a success.

The verity that the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen concept bus would be able to clock more than 350 kilometers before its next recharge is a wonder on its own. Hence, the bus would be relatively reliable and capable of operating an entire day without recharging as long as the mileage limit is not surpassed.

It is vital to take advantage of the Hydrogen concept even at a personal level. The need to conserve the environment and make the world a much safer, healthy, and secure place to live in the most critical driver for the adaptation of the hydrogen concept. Hence, embracing the hydrogen concept should not only be at the individual level but group level as well.

References

Hagos, D. A., & Ahlgren, E. (2017). A state-of-the-art review of the development of CNG/LNG infrastructure and natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Technology, CUo (Ed.).

Jordbakke, G. N., Amundsen, A., Sundvor, I., Figenbaum, E., & Hovi, I. B. (2018). Technological Maturity Level and Market Introduction Timeline of Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles(No. 1655/2018).

Li, Y. Z., (2018). Study of fire and explosion hazards of alternative fuel vehicles in tunnels.

Muhammed, N., (2018). Analyzing Ontario's Climate Change Mitigation and Transportation Planning for a Low-Carbon Economy.