<P> The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801 , but the invention of the first working fuel cell is credited to William Grove , a chemist , lawyer , and physicist . Grove 's experiments with what he called a `` gas voltaic battery '' proved in 1842 that an electric current could be produced by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst . The first modern fuel cell vehicle was a modified Allis - Chalmers farm tractor , fitted with a 15 kilowatt fuel cell , around 1959 . The Cold War Space Race drove further development of fuel cell technology . Project Gemini tested fuel cells to provide electrical power during manned space missions . Fuel cell development continued with the Apollo Program . The electrical power systems in the Apollo capsules and lunar modules used alkali fuel cells . In 1966 , General Motors developed the first fuel cell road vehicle , the Chevrolet Electrovan . It had a PEM fuel cell , a range of 120 miles and a top speed of 70 mph . There were only two seats , as the fuel cell stack and large tanks of hydrogen and oxygen took up the rear portion of the van . Only one was built , as the project was deemed cost - prohibitive . </P>
<P> The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801 , but the invention of the first working fuel cell is credited to William Grove , a chemist , lawyer , and physicist . Grove 's experiments with what he called a `` gas voltaic battery '' proved in 1842 that an electric current could be produced by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst . The first modern fuel cell vehicle was a modified Allis - Chalmers farm tractor , fitted with a 15 kilowatt fuel cell , around 1959 . The Cold War Space Race drove further development of fuel cell technology . Project Gemini tested fuel cells to provide electrical power during manned space missions . Fuel cell development continued with the Apollo Program . The electrical power systems in the Apollo capsules and lunar modules used alkali fuel cells . In 1966 , General Motors developed the first fuel cell road vehicle , the Chevrolet Electrovan . It had a PEM fuel cell , a range of 120 miles and a top speed of 70 mph . There were only two seats , as the fuel cell stack and large tanks of hydrogen and oxygen took up the rear portion of the van . Only one was built , as the project was deemed cost - prohibitive . </P>
when was the first hydrogen fuel cell created
when was the first hydrogen fuel cell created
1842
1842