With the development of automobiles, their energy sources have undergone multiple changes and developments. The history of automotive fuel development is an evolution from early steam power to modern diversified energy sources. Here is a brief introduction to the history of automotive fuel development:
1. Steam power period:
The earliest form of automotive fuel was steam power. In 1769, French army engineer Cournot developed the world's first three wheeled vehicle driven by a steam engine, marking the beginning of the era in which humans replaced human and animal powered vehicles with mechanical power.
2. Early development of electric vehicles:
In 1834, Thomas Davenport of the United States manufactured the first electric vehicle driven by a DC motor, representing an early attempt to use electricity as a fuel for automobiles.
3. Birth and popularization of internal combustion engines:
In the mid-19th century, with the extraction of oil and the development of internal combustion engine technology, automotive fuel entered the stage of fuel vehicles. In 1885, Karl Benz invented the first gasoline powered car, ushering in the era of internal combustion engine cars.
4. Exploration of alternative fuels:
Since the 1960s, with the increasing attention to environmental pollution and energy crisis, alternative fuel vehicles have begun to receive attention. This includes gas vehicles, biofuel vehicles, etc., which serve as alternative fuels and reduce dependence on traditional petroleum fuels.
5. The revival of electric vehicles:
Entering the 21st century, with the advancement of battery technology and the increasing awareness of environmental protection, electric vehicles (EVs) have once again become a hot topic in automotive fuel. Electric vehicles use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to generate electricity, representing the transition of automotive fuel to renewable energy.
6. Development of fuel cell vehicles:
Fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) use hydrogen as fuel and are at the forefront of automotive fuel development. In the 1950s, Francis T. Bacon from the University of Cambridge in the UK built the first practical hydrogen air fuel cell system. Subsequently, fuel cell technology was applied in the aerospace field and gradually shifted towards civilian use. China formulated a roadmap for the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2016 and extensively used hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
7. Policy support and commercialization:
Governments around the world promote the development of new energy vehicles through policy support. China released the "Energy saving and New Energy Vehicle Technology Roadmap 2.0" in 2020, proposing that by 2030, the lifespan of commercial vehicle fuel cell systems is expected to reach 30000 hours, the cold start temperature is expected to reach -40 ℃, and the system cost is expected to be less than 1000 yuan/kW.
The development history of automotive fuels demonstrates the trend of transitioning from relying on traditional fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy, which not only involves technological innovation but also reflects changes in the global energy structure and environmental policies.
