Can thorium be used to power cars?

A US company says it will have a nuclear-powered prototype vehicle on the road within two years. Laser Power Systems from Connecticut is developing a method of propulsion that uses thorium to produce electricity to power a car engine.

Are thorium reactors a good idea?

Thorium-based reactors are safer because the reaction can easily be stopped and because the operation does not have to take place under extreme pressures. Compared to uranium reactors, thorium reactors produce far less waste and the waste that is generated is much less radioactive and much shorter-lived.

Are there working thorium reactors?

Between 1999 and 2022, the number of operational thorium reactors in the world has risen from zero to a handful of research reactors, to commercial plans for producing full-scale thorium-based reactors for use as power plants on a national scale.

Is there a safer alternative to uranium?

Thorium. Thorium is an element that can be used as a fuel in the nuclear cycle. It is an alternative to uranium, and the technology to facilitate the use of thorium has been around since the 1960s.

How long could a nuclear powered car run?

As it happens, a more up-to-date proposal for a nuclear car was made back in 2009. Called the Cadillac World Thorium Fueled Concept Car it could, according to its designers, theoretically run for over 100 years with little to no maintenance.

Is thorium cheaper than uranium?

Thorium is a heavy element that is far more abundant than uranium. It is up to 200 times more energy-dense than uranium — and it’s also cheap.

Is thorium the fuel of the future?

Thorium reactors are a different way to generate electricity that could benefit the world. More efficient than their fossil fuel counterparts, safer than a conventional nuclear plant, and generating no carbon emissions as a byproduct, LFTRs are a viable solution for the future of our world’s energy needs.

What are the drawbacks of thorium?

Disadvantages of thorium reactors: High start-up costs: Huge investments are needed for thorium nuclear power reactor, as it requires significant amount of testing, analysis and licensing work. Also, there is uncertainty over returns on the investments in these reactors.

What are the downsides to thorium reactors?

What are the downsides of Thorium?

  • We don’t have as much experience with Th.
  • Thorium fuel is a bit harder to prepare.
  • Irradiated Thorium is more dangerously radioactive in the short term.
  • Thorium doesn’t work as well as U-Pu in a fast reactor.