CAN A CAR RUN ON NUCLEAR POWER?

Nuclear Power Image Gallery

In the 1950s, Ford produced a concept car called the Nucleon, intended to run on
nuclear power, but the vehicle was never produced. See more nuclear power pictures.
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In the 1950s, perhaps the height of the so-called Atomic Age, Ford developed a concept
car called the Ford Nucleon. This nuclear-powered automobile was designed,
according to Ford, based on the assumption that future nuclear reactors would be
smaller, safer, lighter and more portable [Source: Ford]. The design called for a power
capsule located in the rear of the car, charging stations replacing gas stations and
5,000 miles of driving before recharging or replacing the fuel. As is the case with many
concept cars, Ford never built the Nucleon -- only a model car half the size of a normal
car [Source: Ford].
Nuclear Power Image Gallery

It may seem like an impossible quest, or something from a science fiction movie, but
nuclear-powered cars are worth considering, especially with the ongoing energy and
climate crises. Given these challenges, some experts think that the use of nuclear
power, in various forms, will make a comeback in the near future. When done properly,
nuclear power is relatively safe, clean and affordable. So why not use it for cars?
To get an idea, think of how countries have employed nuclear reactors for uses beyond
traditional nuclear power plants, submarines and aircraft carriers. Some uses of
specialized reactors include providing heating in extremely cold climates and trying to
convert coal into clean-burning gas. Both the former U.S.S.R. and the United States
used small reactors to power satellites, though the practice became controversial
because of satellites' propensity to fall back to Earth and break apart. These are
examples of research reactors, and they may provide scientists with some ideas of
how to adapt nuclear reactors for use in other vehicles.
One such possibility is nuclear-fueled hydrogen -- using nuclear energy to create
clean, safe, affordable hydrogen fuel. Nuclear reactors could also power stations where
motorists charge highly efficient batteries. Finally, scientists could create a miniature
nuclear power plant and stick it in a car.
On the next page, we'll take a closer look at the benefits and explore some of the
problems with a potential nuclear-powered car.