Rajan Wilcox
Hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars are vehicles that use hydrogen fuel to generate electricity and power electric motors. Unlike conventional vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel, fuel cell cars combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which powers the vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are energy-efficient, produce little to no emissions, and have a comparable range and performance to their gasoline counterparts. However, they are generally more expensive than conventional cars due to the high costs of developing the technology and the challenges of hydrogen storage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Hydrogen |
| Fuel Cell Composition | Two electrodes, an electrolyte, fuel (hydrogen), and a power supply |
| Electricity Generation | Hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electricity |
| Electric Motor | Powered by electricity generated from fuel cell |
| Battery | Captures energy from regenerative braking and provides additional power to the electric motor |
| Exhaust | Water vapour |
| Refuelling Time | Comparable to conventional cars; less than 10 minutes to refuel current models |
| Range | Similar to gasoline or diesel-only vehicles (200-300 miles) |
| Cost | Higher than comparable conventional or battery-electric cars |
| Availability | Limited options; only a few automakers are currently investing in hydrogen car production |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are powered by electricity generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and hydrogen fuel cells are being touted as the most important alternative fuel technology currently under development.
A hydrogen fuel cell is composed of two electrodes, an electrolyte, fuel (hydrogen), and a power supply. Hydrogen molecules are forced into the fuel cell at the anode, where they are split into electrons and protons. The electrons are then forced through a circuit, generating an electric current and excess heat, while the protons pass through the membrane to the other side of the cell, the cathode. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules, which are emitted as water vapour through the exhaust.
The electricity generated by this process powers the car's electric motors. The construction of the fuel cell is similar to a battery, and the more fuel cells in the stack, the greater the voltage of the electricity produced. This electricity then powers the car's electric motors.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine the range and refueling of conventional cars with the environmental benefits of driving on electricity. They are energy-efficient, produce no tailpipe emissions, and have a similar range and performance to gasoline-powered cars. However, the costs of developing hydrogen technology are high, and there are difficulties and dangers associated with hydrogen storage.
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Electricity production
Hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars are electric vehicles that use hydrogen fuel for motive power. Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, is stored in a reinforced tank inside the car. Hydrogen gas is fed into an onboard fuel cell stack that transforms the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy. This electricity then powers the car's electric motors.
The process of electricity production involves a multi-step reduction and oxidation (REDOX) reaction. Hydrogen is forced into the fuel cell at the anode in the form of H2 molecules, which contain two hydrogen atoms. A catalyst at the anode breaks the molecules into hydrogen ions (protons) and a flow of electricity (electrons). The electrons are forced through a circuit, generating an electric current and excess heat. The ions and electrons then pass through the membrane, reuniting at the cathode, where they join with oxygen to form water molecules. This water is emitted through the exhaust.
The construction of the fuel cell is similar to a battery, with the electrons gathered by the conductive current collector, which is connected to the car's high-voltage circuitry, feeding the onboard battery and/or the motors. The more fuel cells in the stack, the greater the voltage of the electricity produced. This is because the individual fuel cell only produces less than 1.16 volts of electricity.
Fuel cell cars differ from battery-powered or plug-in hybrid cars in that they do not burn the gas and do not have a battery. Instead, they recharge faster (in as little as five minutes) and produce electricity while the car is running. The amount of energy stored onboard is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank.
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Fuel cell stacks
Each fuel cell in the stack is designed to be flat and thin so that they can be easily stacked. A single fuel cell produces less than 1.16 volts of electricity, so multiple cells are stacked together to increase the overall voltage. This electricity is then used to power the vehicle's electric motors.
The hydrogen fuel enters the anode of the fuel cell, where it comes into contact with a catalyst that promotes the separation of hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons. The electrons are collected by a conductive current collector, which is connected to the car's high-voltage circuitry, powering the onboard battery and motors.
The protons, meanwhile, pass through an electrolyte membrane to the cathode, where they reunite with the electrons and combine with oxygen to form water molecules. This water is emitted through the exhaust as water vapour, the only waste product of the fuel cell reaction.
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Hydrogen refueling
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by electricity, but they differ from battery-powered or plug-in hybrid cars. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell stack. This fuel cell stack doesn't burn the gas but instead transforms the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy, which powers the car's electric motors. The only waste product of this process is pure water vapour, which is emitted through the exhaust.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars can carry enough fuel for a range of 300-400 miles, and their tanks can be refuelled as quickly as a standard car's gas tank. In California, there are over 35 hydrogen refuelling stations, with many more in development. Refuelling a hydrogen fuel cell car takes only about three to five minutes. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are also eligible for consumer incentives, such as monetary rebates and free fuel. For example, some manufacturers include three years' worth of free fuel with the purchase of a vehicle, valued at around $15,000. In addition, new vehicles purchased in 2023 or later may qualify for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500.
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Hydrogen storage
Hydrogen, being the lightest element in the universe, poses unique challenges for storage. Any uncontained hydrogen on Earth will immediately escape into the atmosphere and, eventually, outer space. Therefore, hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles is stored as compressed hydrogen gas in a reinforced tank inside the car.
The process of refueling a fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen is similar to refueling a conventional car with gasoline or diesel. Pressurized hydrogen is dispensed at dedicated hydrogen refueling stations and takes less than 10 minutes to fill a vehicle's tank.
While hydrogen storage in fuel cell vehicles offers the advantage of quick refueling, there are also challenges and safety concerns. Hydrogen is a small molecule that can leak through gaps in storage tanks, and its low density means that it requires high-pressure storage, typically at pressures of 350 or 700 bar. This high-pressure storage raises safety concerns, and the tanks must be carefully designed and reinforced to prevent leaks and withstand the pressure.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel cell-powered car is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that uses hydrogen to power its electric motor.
A fuel cell-powered car combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which runs the motor. The hydrogen fuel is stored in a tank and the electricity generated in the fuel cell can be used to power the vehicle directly or charge a battery.
Fuel cell-powered cars have several advantages over battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), including faster refuelling times and longer driving ranges. They also produce electricity onboard and do not require recharging.
The biggest disadvantage of fuel cell-powered cars is the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. Additionally, the process of manufacturing hydrogen fuel can lead to pollution.
Examples of fuel cell-powered cars include the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo, and the Toyota Mirai.
