Sylvie Willis
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by hydrogen and equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks. They are classified as e-cars and produce electricity themselves. However, they are different from battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) in that they do not rely on a built-in battery as their primary power source. While hydrogen fuel cell cars can operate without a battery, most models include a small, high-voltage, low-capacity battery to boost throttle response, improve regenerative braking, and power onboard electronics. This battery enhances performance, particularly during periods of intense acceleration, and is recharged through excess fuel-cell output or regenerative braking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power source | Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by hydrogen gas and equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks. |
| Electricity production | Hydrogen fuel cell cars produce electricity through a chemical reaction in the fuel cell, which does not require a battery. |
| Battery usage | While hydrogen fuel cell cars can theoretically operate without a battery, most models include a small, high-voltage, low-capacity battery to boost throttle response, improve regenerative braking, and power onboard electronics. |
| Vehicle range | The range of hydrogen fuel cell cars is comparable to battery-electric vehicles, typically offering 300-400 miles per refueling. |
| Refueling infrastructure | Hydrogen fuel cell cars require specialized refueling stations, which are less widely available than electric charging stations. |
| Weight | Hydrogen fuel cell cars are generally lighter than battery-electric vehicles because they do not require large, heavy batteries. |
| Performance | Hydrogen fuel cell cars offer a smooth and quiet driving experience, similar to battery-electric vehicles, but may have slower acceleration in some models. |
| Safety | Hydrogen fuel cell technology has been tested and proven safe in crash tests, with no leaks or explosions reported. |
| Environmental impact | Hydrogen fuel cell cars emit only water vapor and no carbon dioxide or other harmful exhaust, making them zero-emission vehicles. |
| Cost | Hydrogen fuel cell cars are currently more expensive than comparable battery-electric vehicles due to production costs and the demand for platinum. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by H2 and equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks
- Hydrogen cars produce their own electricity through fuel cells but require a small high-voltage battery
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars weigh less than battery-electric cars
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars are zero-emission vehicles
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars are more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by H2 and equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by hydrogen (H2) and are equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks. They are also known as FCEVs, an abbreviation for "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles". Unlike battery-powered electric cars (BEVs), hydrogen vehicles produce their own electricity. This means that their power does not come from a built-in battery but from an efficient power plant on board, which converts the hydrogen in the fuel tank into electricity.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars are equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks, they may also have a small high-voltage battery. This is because the electricity generated from a fuel cell is difficult to control since the fuel cell's reaction rate is not entirely smooth. When a driver applies the accelerator, a smooth and linear reaction is required. To achieve this, an electronic control system comparable to a battery electric car is used. This is the case with the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo, where the battery capacity is about 1.5 kilowatt-hours, which is small.
The use of hydrogen as a fuel offers several advantages. Hydrogen is more energy-dense, meaning it can store more energy and has a higher fuel quality. Hydrogen vehicles also have a similar range to e-cars with large battery storage. For example, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen can travel 504 kilometers on a single hydrogen refuelling, according to WLTP. Additionally, the range of hydrogen vehicles does not depend on outside temperature and does not deteriorate in cold weather.
Despite the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology, there are some challenges. One significant issue is the availability of hydrogen fuel. For instance, while plans were made for California to have 100 hydrogen stations, the current number is less than 60, and this number is not growing significantly. This limited infrastructure impacts the usability of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
In summary, hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by H2 and are equipped with fuel cells and storage tanks. They may also have a small battery to smooth out power delivery and improve performance. Hydrogen fuel cell technology offers advantages in energy density and range, but the limited availability of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure remains a challenge for the widespread adoption of these vehicles.
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Hydrogen cars produce their own electricity through fuel cells but require a small high-voltage battery
Hydrogen fuel cell cars, or hydrogen vehicles, are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. They are equipped with fuel cells and hydrogen storage tanks. Hydrogen is stored in gaseous form in thick-walled tanks, which are considered safe.
The battery in a hydrogen car serves several purposes. Firstly, it boosts the vehicle's throttle response by increasing airflow and hydrogen gas for larger power production. Secondly, it improves the efficiency of the regenerative braking energy. Finally, it provides onboard electronics with power. While it may be possible to operate a hydrogen car without a battery using alternative technology, batteries are currently the most practical, affordable, and efficient option for fast starting and other purposes.
The range of a hydrogen vehicle does not depend on the outside temperature and does not deteriorate in cold weather. Hydrogen vehicles have a similar range to e-cars with large battery storage. For example, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen has a range of 504 kilometres on a single refuelling. Hydrogen vehicles also lack the long charging times associated with electric vehicles; they can typically be refuelled in just five minutes for another 300 to 400-mile stint.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars weigh less than battery-electric cars
Firstly, fuel cell tanks in hydrogen cars are typically made of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFK) and only weigh a couple of hundred pounds. In contrast, the batteries in most electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly heavier, often weighing a thousand pounds or more, as they are mostly made of metal.
Secondly, hydrogen is more energy-dense than electric batteries. This means that hydrogen can store more energy per unit of weight, resulting in a lighter overall system. Specifically, hydrogen cars can hold over 12,700 wh/kg into a 1kg battery, while electric ion batteries only hold about 270 wh/kg.
Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell cars generate power onboard, which allows them to have smaller and lighter batteries. In contrast, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) rely solely on their batteries for power, requiring larger and heavier battery packs to achieve the same range.
The weight difference also has implications for road wear. In the US, certain roads are designated for trucks due to the impact of their weight on road surfaces. As more trucks transition to battery power, their increased weight may become a limiting factor for the roads they can use.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have the advantage of lower weight, they face other challenges. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are currently limited to specific regions, such as California, China, Japan, and Germany, due to the limited availability of hydrogen refueling stations. Additionally, the cost of hydrogen fuel remains high, making the total cost of ownership for hydrogen fuel cell cars higher than comparable gasoline or electric vehicles.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are zero-emission vehicles
The advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles over BEVs include their higher energy density, allowing for longer ranges and quicker refuelling times. Hydrogen fuel cell cars can travel about 100 kilometres on one kilogram of hydrogen, and refuelling takes only minutes, making them more convenient for long-distance travel. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell cars are lighter than BEVs, as they do not require heavy metal batteries, which can weigh over a thousand pounds.
However, hydrogen fuel cell cars also have some drawbacks. Firstly, they are currently much rarer than BEVs, with only about 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads as of mid-2022, all of which are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. Secondly, creating a new fuelling network has proven challenging and expensive, and the fuel itself is pricier than gasoline or electricity. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell cars have been criticised for their slower acceleration when compared to BEVs, and their smaller trunks and folding seats.
Despite these challenges, some automotive manufacturers, such as BMW, remain optimistic about the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology. They believe that hydrogen can be a sustainable and clean energy source for vehicles, complementing battery-powered electric cars, especially for drivers who travel frequently and require high flexibility. Hydrogen fuel cell cars can also play a role in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, as they produce no harmful emissions, only water vapour.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is reflected in the total cost of ownership for hydrogen fuel cell cars, which is about 10% more than for an electric vehicle. The upfront cost of hydrogen cars is also higher, with the two mainstream hydrogen cars on the market in the US, the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, starting at around $50,000 and $60,000, respectively.
Another factor contributing to the higher cost of hydrogen fuel cell cars is the limited infrastructure for refueling. Hydrogen refueling stations are scarce, with only 53 stations in California, the only state in the US where hydrogen cars are marketed. This lack of infrastructure increases the operating costs of hydrogen cars and makes them less convenient for consumers.
Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell cars have more expensive maintenance, and the process of converting hydrogen gas into electricity to power the vehicle is complex and inefficient. In contrast, electric vehicles have a vast, nationwide electrical system for recharging, and their batteries are becoming more affordable due to the falling price of lithium-ion batteries.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars offer advantages such as longer driving ranges and quick refueling times, their higher costs compared to e-cars with batteries have contributed to the dominance of electric vehicles in the market.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen fuel cell cars do not rely on large, built-in batteries as their primary power source like electric vehicles (EVs) do. Instead, they produce electricity by converting hydrogen in the fuel tank into electricity. However, a small high-voltage battery is still necessary to act as a buffer to smooth out the power delivery and boost throttle response.
The electricity generated by a fuel cell is difficult to control due to the varying reaction rate of the fuel cell. A small battery helps to smooth out the power delivery, providing a consistent and linear response when the driver applies the accelerator.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars have several advantages over battery-powered electric vehicles:
- Shorter refuelling times: Hydrogen fuel cell cars can typically be refuelled in just 5-6 minutes, compared to the longer charging times of EVs.
- Similar range to EVs with large battery storage: Hydrogen fuel cell cars can achieve a range of 300-500 kilometres on a single refuelling.
- Consistent performance in cold weather: Unlike EVs, the range of hydrogen vehicles does not deteriorate in cold weather.
- Lighter weight: Hydrogen fuel cell cars are lighter than EVs because they do not require large, heavy batteries.
