A hyrogen economy is a hypothetical economy in which the energy needed for motive power (for automobiles and other vehicle types) or electricity (for stationary applications) is derived from reacting hydrogen (H2) with oxygen. While the primary purpose is to eliminate the use of carbon-based fossil fuels and thus reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a secondary goal is to provide an energy carrier to replace dwindling supplies of petroleum as well as to provide energy independence to countries without oil resources.