While nuclear power is commonly associated with today’s technology, particularly if it is within the context of futuristic nuclear powered cars, it may be a surprise to hear that the concept of automobiles being powered by nuclear engines has existed since the 1950s. Ford Motor company developed the Ford Nucleon in 1957, a conceptual design for a nuclear-powered automobile. At the time, harnessing atomic power was the focus of many scientists across the nation and Ford wanted to be a part of the action.
The Ford Nucleon could reach up to 8,000km
The unique and futuristic car was designed to reach up to 8,000km without needing to be refueled. The design was absent of an internal combustion engine and instead, engineers conceptualized a small nuclear reactor in the rear. At the time, engineers assumed that it would be possible at some point in time to reduce the size of current nuclear reactors to be compact enough to be an engine for a vehicle. As of today, this has still not been achieved.
Further, the design conceptualized a steam engine powering by uranium fission. This design operates similarly to nuclear submarines. The reactor would then use the fissionable material to generate heat which would in turn be converted into electricity to power the car. Nuclear fission refers to the process of splitting atoms to create energy. This is the process done at nuclear plants to generate electricity. It is also used in some medical treatments.
Unique design for the nuclear powered vehicle
To add to the innovative design, Ford has conceptualized the strangest dimensions for the proposed vehicle. It would’ve measured 16.7 feet long and 6.5 feet wide. The roof would have been 3.5 feet high with a 5.8 foot wheelbase. This unique design would have been used to account for the propel system of the vehicle. Because the car would not need an internal combustion engine, the body could be much more aerodynamic.
Unfortunately for Ford, the concept never was put into action. From 1958, it became abundantly clear that the technology needed to harness nuclear power on a small scale like that for a nuclear powered engine was nowhere near advanced enough at the time. Today, despite advances in nuclear power technology, this is still the case. Nuclear powered engines, while an innovative concept, are a long way from being seen on the road in reality.
The future of nuclear powered vehicles still remains uncertain
While the automobile industry is concentrating the majority of their efforts on electric and hydrogen powered vehicles, nuclear power remains up in the air with regards to its future in the automobile world. Ford Motors followed up on their nuclear design with the 1962 Ford Seattle-ite XX1, an updated Ford Nucleon. However, it to never made it past the conceptualization stage. Other automobile companies have also not had much success in engineering a nuclear powered engine.
The biggest issue with nuclear powered engines is that nuclear power is radioactive. The car would require a significant amount of shielding, else it could kill you. That would be a hard point to sell to consumers. Further, the shielding that would be required would be so heavy the car would be rendered unable to move due to the excess weight. Additionally, the consequences of a car crash could be devastating if radioactive waste was spread throughout an area.
The automobile industry does not appear to be making any moves towards nuclear power. Currently, nuclear power provides one quarter of the world’s low-carbon electricity. While striving for carbon-free vehicles is important, nuclear power does not seem to be the source which is going to be operational for the automobile industry.
