Katerina Swanson
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. They are a type of electric vehicle (EV) with no tailpipe emissions and water vapour as their only waste product. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) emit only water vapour and are zero-emission vehicles
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are powered by the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are quieter than conventional cars and produce no emissions
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are available for sale or lease by major automakers
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) emit only water vapour and are zero-emission vehicles
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by an electric motor, using hydrogen to generate electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen ions. This process only emits water vapour and warm air, making HFCVs zero-emission vehicles. They are similar to electric vehicles (EVs) in terms of their propulsion system and lack of harmful tailpipe emissions, but they differ in their fuel source and refuelling process. While EVs are charged by plugging into an electricity source, HFCVs are refuelled with hydrogen gas, similar to refuelling a conventional gasoline or diesel vehicle. This refuelling process for HFCVs typically takes around 3 to 5 minutes, significantly shorter than the charging time for EVs.
HFCVs offer several advantages over traditional internal combustion engines and EVs. They are more efficient, with a higher braking thermal efficiency of up to 45.5%. They also produce no harmful tailpipe emissions, contributing to reduced smog and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, HFCVs have a longer range compared to EVs, capable of travelling up to 500 km without refuelling, and this range is expected to increase to 600-700 km in the future.
Despite the benefits, HFCVs face some challenges and drawbacks. One of the main challenges is the limited availability of hydrogen fuel infrastructure. For example, in California, the number of hydrogen stations is less than initially planned, and the availability of these stations for fuelling is inconsistent. The cost of hydrogen refuelling has also increased, impacting the affordability of operating HFCVs. Additionally, HFCVs are currently more expensive than comparable EVs or internal combustion engine vehicles due to industrialization factors, platinum demand, and low production volumes.
HFCVs also present some technical challenges. Hydrogen fuel cells operate optimally at a steady power output, while cars require varying power demands. To address this, some HFCV manufacturers include a high-voltage low-capacity battery to provide supplemental power during periods of intense acceleration. Another technical consideration is the safe storage of hydrogen, as it is a flammable gas. HFCVs utilize carbon-fibre tanks to store hydrogen under extremely high pressure, and crash tests have validated the safety of this design.
As of mid-2022, there were approximately 17,000 or fewer HFCVs on the roads in the U.S., primarily concentrated in California due to its retail hydrogen fuelling network. While the number of HFCVs is lower compared to the almost three million EVs sold in the U.S., ongoing research and infrastructure development are driving the expansion of HFCV technology. Vehicle manufacturers are collaborating with hydrogen producers and filling station operators to improve accessibility. HFCVs are expected to play a role in providing an emission-free alternative in the transportation sector.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are powered by the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. Hydrogen is found in the sun and other stars, which are essentially giant balls of hydrogen and helium gas. On Earth, hydrogen occurs naturally in compound form with other elements in liquids, gases, or solids. For example, when hydrogen combines with oxygen, it forms water (H2O).
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles use an electric motor to turn the wheels, similar to battery-electric cars. However, instead of being powered by a large, heavy battery, HFCVs are powered by a fuel-cell stack. In this stack, pure hydrogen (H2) passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen (O2) from the air, generating electricity and water vapour as a byproduct. This makes HFCVs technically a series hybrid, or fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
While hydrogen is considered an energy carrier rather than a fuel by scientists, HFCV drivers can refill their vehicles at "hydrogen fuelling stations," similar to traditional gas stations. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all located in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. Globally, the number of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on the road increased by 40% in 2022, totalling more than 72,000 vehicles, with two-thirds of the additional 15,000 cars in South Korea. The US is the second-largest market for hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), with over 15,000 vehicles, most of which are cars, and a little over 200 fuel-cell buses.
Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier with a high energy content per unit weight, making it useful for various applications, including transportation and electricity generation. It can be produced from a range of sources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. Hydrogen is also a clean fuel, producing only water and no carbon emissions when consumed in a fuel cell. However, currently, most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, contributing to significant CO2 emissions. Low-emissions hydrogen, produced using renewable or nuclear energy, has the potential to decarbonise sectors like heavy industry and long-distance transport.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries
The two mainstream hydrogen cars on sale in the US, the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, start at around $50,000 and $60,000, respectively. In contrast, the cost of recharging an electric vehicle's batteries ranges from $6 to $10, while the cost of fueling a hydrogen gas tank is significantly higher, ranging from $75 to $125. This cost difference is due to the fact that hydrogen fuel cells require a steady power output, which is not always needed in average cars. To address this issue, some car manufacturers add a high-voltage, low-capacity battery to provide supplemental power during periods of intense acceleration.
Another factor contributing to the higher cost of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles is the industrialization of production, which is not yet fully developed. Additionally, the demand for platinum, a precious metal used as a catalyst in electricity generation, also plays a role in the higher cost. However, it is important to note that the amount of platinum required for automotive fuel cells has been significantly reduced, and platinum recovered through recycling catalytic converters is returning to the material cycle.
Despite the higher cost, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles offer some advantages over electric cars. They have a better driving range and quick refueling times, taking only 5 to 10 minutes to refuel, compared to the 4 to 8 hours required to fully charge an electric vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cells are also easy and cost-effective to recycle, and hydrogen vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, with water vapour being the only waste product. However, the lack of infrastructure for refueling hydrogen-powered cars is a significant drawback, with only around 1000 refueling stations globally as of 2023.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are quieter than conventional cars and produce no emissions
As of mid-2022, there were fewer than 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads. All of these vehicles are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. However, unlike battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), HFCVs are not powered by a large, heavy battery. Instead, they are powered by a fuel-cell stack in which pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water vapour.
HFCVs are zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) that emit only water vapour and warm air, producing no harmful tailpipe emissions. They are also quieter than conventional cars. Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be produced from various feedstocks, and the production methods should be considered when evaluating hydrogen emissions. While hydrogen production for all fuel pathways generally creates fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than gasoline vehicles, some emissions can still be generated in the process of producing, transporting, and dispensing hydrogen fuel.
The benefits of HFCVs are clear: they are emission-free, produce less noise, and offer dynamic driving. However, HFCVs are currently more expensive than comparable e-cars or internal combustion engine vehicles. This is partly due to the high demand for platinum, a precious metal used as a catalyst in electricity generation. Additionally, HFCVs face challenges in meeting the varying power demands of average cars. To address this, some HFCV makers add a high-voltage, low-capacity battery similar to those used in gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. Despite these challenges, HFCVs have the potential to reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector, especially in heavy-duty applications where current battery technology may not be suitable.
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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are available for sale or lease by major automakers
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are available for sale or lease from major automakers, although they are much rarer than electric vehicles. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all of which were in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.
There are several benefits to HFCVs. They are zero-emission vehicles, emitting only water vapour as a byproduct. They are also quiet, highly energy-efficient, and have a comparable range and performance to gasoline cars. Additionally, they have a similar five-minute refuelling time to traditional cars. Furthermore, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and unlike electric vehicles, HFCVs do not depend on large, heavy batteries.
However, HFCVs are currently more expensive than comparable conventional cars or electric vehicles. This is partly due to the industrialization of production not being fully developed, as well as the demand for platinum, which acts as a catalyst in electricity generation. Low production volumes also contribute to the higher cost, although this is expected to decrease as production volumes increase.
Despite the higher upfront cost, leasing packages for HFCVs often include fuel, service, and maintenance, which can make the total cost of ownership comparable to conventional cars. In California, HFCVs are eligible for a rebate of up to $7,500 for income-qualified purchasers through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. They also qualify for the Clean Air Vehicle decal, which allows them to drive solo in carpool lanes.
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Frequently asked questions
As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads.
All of them are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations.
Some hydrogen fuel cell cars include the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai.
Fuel cell vehicles use a fuel cell to power an electric drive system. Hydrogen combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, which then powers the car's electric motors.
Fuel cell vehicles are quiet, energy-efficient, produce no emissions, and have similar range and performance to gasoline cars. They also have a shorter refueling time compared to electric vehicles.
