Rajan Wilcox
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are related to electric cars but are powered by hydrogen and oxygen, which generate electricity through a process known as reverse electrolysis. This takes place in a fuel cell, where hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electrical energy, heat, and water vapour. The electricity generated then powers the electric motor of the vehicle. HFCVs have the advantage of being able to refuel in around 5 minutes and can travel over 300 miles on a full tank. Despite these advantages, HFCVs have seen limited adoption, with only 17,000 or fewer on US roads as of mid-2022. However, the market for HFCVs is growing, with major companies investing in the technology and infrastructure. So, are car companies dropping fuel cell vehicles, or is this technology gaining traction?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of vehicle | Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle (HFCV) or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) |
| Power source | Hydrogen |
| Fueling time | ~5 minutes |
| Driving range | 300+ miles |
| Emissions | Water vapour |
| Fuel cell type | Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell |
| Examples | Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai Nexo SUV, Toyota Mirai |
| Market growth | Expected to grow from $2.5 billion in 2022 to over $30 billion by 2032 |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are similar to electric cars but have pros and cons that make them different
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are powered by an electric motor but not by a large, heavy battery
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are technically a series hybrid, sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEV)
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are equipped with advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are marketed as having fewer pollutants, less noise, and dynamic driving
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are similar to electric cars but have pros and cons that make them different
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are both considered zero-emissions vehicles. However, they differ in several ways.
HFCVs use the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels as EVs, but instead of a battery, they are powered by a fuel-cell stack. In this stack, hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing the electricity that turns the wheels, as well as water vapour. This makes HFCVs technically a series hybrid, or fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs). Refuelling an HFCV takes a similar amount of time to refuelling a petrol or diesel car, at around 5 minutes, compared to the 4 to 8 hours it takes to charge an EV. HFCVs also have a longer driving range than EVs, with a range of 400 to 600 miles, compared to 150 to 375 miles for EVs.
However, HFCVs are more expensive than EVs, and as of 2023, there were only around 1000 refueling stations globally, compared to thousands of charging stations for EVs. The high cost of hydrogen fuel also makes the lifetime cost of ownership of an HFCV around 40% higher than a comparable petrol or diesel car, and about 10% more than an EV. The production of hydrogen fuel is also an issue, as it requires new clean electricity to produce, and it is difficult to transport due to its highly flammable and leaky nature.
While both HFCVs and EVs have their pros and cons, the lack of refuelling infrastructure and higher cost of ownership are significant barriers to the widespread adoption of HFCVs.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are powered by an electric motor but not by a large, heavy battery
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are related to electric cars but differ in some ways. HFCVs use the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels as a battery-electric car. However, they are powered not by a large, heavy battery but by a fuel-cell stack. In this stack, pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity to turn the wheels and water vapour. This makes HFCVs technically a series hybrid, and they are sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
HFCVs are fuelled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle. They can be fuelled in about five minutes and have a driving range of over 300 miles. They are also equipped with regenerative braking systems that capture the energy lost during braking and store it in a battery.
The Toyota Mirai is an example of an HFCV. When fully fuelled with hydrogen, the 2024 Mirai XLE has an estimated all-electric driving range of up to 402 miles.
While HFCVs are available for sale or lease by major automakers, they are much rarer than electric vehicles. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on U.S. roads, all in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are technically a series hybrid, sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEV)
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCV) are related to electric cars but differ in some key ways. HFCVs use the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels as a battery-electric car. However, they are powered not by a large, heavy battery but by a fuel-cell stack. In this stack, pure hydrogen (H2) passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen (O2) from the air, producing the electricity that turns the wheels, as well as water vapour.
This means that an HFCV is technically a series hybrid, and is sometimes classified as a fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicle (FCHEV). However, hydrogen is considered an energy carrier rather than a fuel by scientists. HFCV drivers fill up their vehicles' carbon-fibre high-pressure tanks at "hydrogen fuelling stations", which are very similar to traditional gas stations, with a similar five-minute refuelling time.
HFCVs are widely considered to be as safe as any other car. The high-pressure tanks are designed to survive even the highest-speed crashes without leaking or breaching. No injuries or deaths specific to the hydrogen components have been recorded in the relatively small number of HFCVs sold to date. HFCVs are also smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive, and they emit no carbon dioxide or other harmful exhaust from their tailpipes, only water vapour. They also lack the charging time problem that EVs have, as they can be refuelled in about five minutes for another 300- to 400-mile stint.
The Toyota Mirai is the best-selling hydrogen car in the U.S. and has a driving range of up to 402 miles. However, its fuel cell is rated at only 90 kW (120 horsepower), which is not enough to accelerate onto a fast-moving highway. To compensate, Toyota adds a high-voltage low-capacity battery, similar to those used in gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. This provides supplemental power for short periods of intense acceleration and is recharged from either excess fuel-cell output when the car is cruising at a steady speed or via regenerative braking when the car slows.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are equipped with advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are related to electric cars but differ in several ways. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) use an electric motor to turn the wheels, but instead of being powered by a large, heavy battery, they are powered by a fuel-cell stack. In this stack, pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water vapour. This means that HFCVs are technically a series hybrid and are sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
HFCVs are equipped with advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems. These systems capture the energy lost during braking and store it in a battery. In addition to regenerative braking, HFCVs can also be fitted with regenerative suspension modules (RSMs). RSMs are mounted on each wheel and convert vibrations caused by road conditions into electrical energy, improving the vehicle's overall efficiency and range.
The Toyota Mirai is a leading example of an HFCV. It has an estimated all-electric driving range of up to 402 miles, and its only by-product is water. The Mirai also features advanced safety technologies, such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking.
While HFCVs offer an alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, their adoption has been limited. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all of them in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. However, major automobile manufacturers are offering an increasing number of HFCVs to the public, and the development of supporting infrastructure is expected to grow.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are marketed as having fewer pollutants, less noise, and dynamic driving
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are marketed as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cars, with the added benefits of dynamic driving and reduced noise.
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCV) are powered by electricity generated from hydrogen and oxygen, which produces zero tailpipe emissions. The only by-product is water vapour, making these vehicles much cleaner than traditional combustion engines. This is particularly beneficial for improving air quality in cities. However, it is important to note that the environmental benefits of hydrogen cars depend on how the hydrogen is produced. If hydrogen production uses renewable energy, it can have a neutral carbon footprint. In contrast, if fossil fuels are used, it can negatively impact the vehicle's carbon footprint.
HFCVs use an electric motor to turn the wheels, similar to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). However, instead of a large, heavy battery, HFCVs are powered by a fuel-cell stack. This stack allows hydrogen to pass through a membrane and combine with oxygen from the air, generating electricity and powering the vehicle. This process gives HFCVs a dynamic driving experience with faster acceleration than BEVs. Additionally, regenerative braking systems capture energy lost during braking and store it in a battery, further enhancing the driving performance.
One of the most significant advantages of HFCVs is their short refuelling time. Refuelling an HFCV is similar to a traditional gas station experience, taking only around three to five minutes. This convenience brings HFCVs in line with regular cars in terms of availability and flexibility. Additionally, HFCVs can travel about twice as far as conventional cars on the same amount of fuel, offering a driving range of over 300 miles.
While HFCVs have many benefits, they also face challenges. Firstly, the cost of HFCV models currently available is higher than comparable e-cars or internal combustion engine vehicles. Secondly, the power demands of HFCVs vary significantly, making it challenging for engineers to design fuel cells that can handle a wide range of power outputs. To address this, some manufacturers add a high-voltage, low-capacity battery to assist with acceleration. Lastly, the availability of hydrogen fuelling stations is limited, with California being the only state in the US with a comprehensive network as of mid-2022. However, initiatives like the California Hydrogen Initiatives and the Clean Energy Partnership are working to expand the market for HFCVs and the infrastructure to support them.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) uses a fuel cell to power an electric drive system. It is related to an electric vehicle (EV) but is powered by a fuel-cell stack that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, instead of a large, heavy battery.
No, the fuel cell vehicle market is growing. While there are fewer fuel cell vehicles on the road compared to EVs, major automobile manufacturers are offering an increasing number of FCEVs to the public.
Some examples of fuel cell vehicles include the Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota FCHV.
Fuel cell vehicles have several benefits, including zero emissions, shorter refuelling times compared to EVs, and longer driving ranges.
One drawback of fuel cell vehicles is that they are currently more expensive than comparable EVs or internal combustion engine vehicles. Additionally, there is a lack of widespread infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling stations.
