Fuel cells are what help power hybrid and electric vehicles. Like the household AA and AAA batteries we’re used to, fuel cells can be charged and re-charged, and produce electricity through chemicals within the cells. With enough fuel cells, entire vehicles can be propelled. Hybrid vehicles are the start at reducing the world’s dependence on gasoline.

Gas companies and consumers have a symbiotic relationship. For consumers, their need for gas never ceases. Some generations of people have depended on gas their entire lives. Consumers, both individual and business, continually purchase gasoline. This consistent demand for gas and gas products ensures gas companies large profits, and a steady stream of business.

But what if more people started purchasing vehicles that don’t need gas, then who would buy gas? Would we even need it? Are there better, more eco-friendly, sustainable resources that could take its’ place? Indeed, these are startling, and even frightening, questions for gas companies to ponder.

Since the development of fuel cells, gas companies have faced the pressure to invest in researching and developing this alternate source of energy, not only because they promise a future without pollution and are a source that can be renewed. Despite this, most gas companies remain somewhat unaffected as developing fuel cells is quite expensive and not many companies or private home owners are willing to make that investment. Most experts still project that gas and coal will be providing for the worlds energy needs for the upcoming years.

When a reliable fuel cell has been developed there will be exponentially more drivers on the road than there are today. Oil reserves are depleting. This means there will be less oil for more consumers. Even if the consumer uses less than half of the gasoline that is currently being used per capita the net effect is that there will still be a greater demand for the same amount of fuel. Overall price will thus go up.

If a fuel cell is developed that can completely remove the need for gasoline in cars there will still be other markets that depend on it including large scale vehicles like semi trailers and airliners. The fuel cell will be one step closer to breaking our reliance on fossil fuels but it won’t eliminate it on its own.

The three types of fossil fuels we currently use now are petroleum which is limited to get our hands on, coal which is hazardous to our environment and natural gas is very hard to transport. With the new development of a cheaper and cleaner way to provide energy we could possibly relax about our supply of fossil fuels no longer being available. Although there are many advantages to changing to the use of fuel cells, they are not yet affordable to use across the globe although it could be in the very near future.

Ironically, as the demand for oil continues to decrease, the price continues to rise. Fuel cells in particular are leading the way in providing alternative energy. By converting the chemical energy of various substances, fuel cells can produce large amounts of energy.Is this new to you? Catch up here Some can produce enough to propel cars and other large forms of machinery.

The only problem with fuel cells is that they haven’t necessarily become economically affordable or fully capable of replacing oil. That means oil companies will still have a stranglehold on the majority of the energy sector for years to come. There is, however, great reason for these companies to be concerned.

Another possibility is that gas companies may join the fuel cell industry. They certainly have the capital to invest in such ventures, and it only makes sense if that’s the way of the future. Gas companies will need to adapt, or possibly face extinction in the coming century.