Ameer Randolph
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are electric cars that use hydrogen gas as a source of energy, instead of a large battery. Hydrogen fuel is a promising power source for vehicles, especially those that are more challenging to electrify, such as long-haul trucks or ships. Hydrogen fuel cells offer drivers many benefits over other electric cars, such as the ability to provide over 300 miles worth of hydrogen gas in as little as 5 minutes. The process of refuelling a hydrogen car is very similar to that of a traditionally powered car. However, hydrogen fuel is currently not as common as petrol or diesel, so there may be some uncertainty about the process of refuelling.
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars
FCEVs have a crucial difference to other electric vehicles: they produce their own electricity. This means that, unlike purely electric vehicles, their power does not come from an external power source or a built-in battery. Instead, hydrogen vehicles have their own power plant on board, which converts the hydrogen in the fuel tank into electricity. This power plant is the fuel cell, and it is here that hydrogen and oxygen generate electrical energy.
The methodology of fuelling a hydrogen fuel cell car is almost identical to that of a typical gas-powered vehicle. The driver pulls up to a pump at a fuelling station, inserts the pump into the tank gasket, and waits for the tank to fill up. Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons, and the cost of the fuel is currently high, at about $16 for one kilogram of hydrogen gas. However, the industry is still developing, and as more research and development is undertaken, the price of hydrogen gas is expected to decrease.
FCEVs have a similar range to e-cars with large battery storage. They also have the benefit of not being affected by cold weather, which can cause the range of BEVs to deteriorate. Hydrogen fuel cells are also approximately 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines, and they produce no emissions, with the only waste being pure water vapour.
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Hydrogen is a clean energy source
As such, hydrogen fuel cell cars do not release planet-warming emissions, and are therefore a clean energy vehicle option. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also use regenerative braking, an energy conservation mechanism that uses the friction created from stepping on the brake pedal to charge the battery of the car. This makes them even more efficient.
While hydrogen fuel is a promising power source for vehicles, especially long-haul trucks or ships, the industry currently relies on natural gas or coal to produce hydrogen, which is a dirty process. Hydrogen fuel infrastructure is also still developing, with a limited number of refuelling stations available. However, California is leading the way in producing 100% renewable hydrogen fuel, and hydrogen fuel cell electric cars qualify for many consumer incentives. Hydrogen fuel is also measured in kilograms rather than gallons, and a full tank for a Toyota Mirai, for example, is approximately five kilograms, with a range of 400 miles on a single fill of hydrogen.
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Hydrogen fuel is measured in kg, not gallons
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a type of clean energy vehicle, with electric motors powered by hydrogen gas. Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons, and a full tank for a Toyota Mirai is approximately five kilograms, which costs around $16. This will get the car about 66 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of hydrogen gas.
The process of filling up a hydrogen fuel cell car is very similar to filling up a typical gas-powered vehicle. The driver pulls up to a pump at a fueling station, inserts the pump into the tank gasket, and waits for the tank to fill up. These fueling stations are located at existing gas stations throughout California and can provide over 300 miles worth of hydrogen gas in as little as 5 minutes.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have several benefits over electric cars. They have a longer range and faster fueling times, and the fuel cells are approximately 2.5 times more efficient than gasoline engines. Additionally, fuel cell cars often come with three years' worth of free fuel, and there are other consumer incentives such as federal income tax credits and access to carpool lanes.
However, the production of hydrogen fuel currently has a significant environmental impact, as most hydrogen is derived from natural gas or coal, resulting in high carbon emissions. This means that until more sustainable production methods are developed, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will continue to contribute to the climate crisis.
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Hydrogen refuelling is simple and quick
Hydrogen refuelling is a simple and quick process, similar to refuelling a gas-powered car. The procedure is straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes, making it convenient for those on the go.
To refuel a hydrogen car, you simply drive up to a pump at a refuelling station, just like you would with a traditional gas-powered car. The methodology of fuelling a hydrogen fuel cell car is almost identical to that of a typical gas-powered vehicle. You drive up to a station with a pump, insert the pump into the tank gasket, and wait for it to fill up. This usually takes around three to five minutes, which is comparable to the time it takes to refuel a petrol or diesel car.
The specific steps for refuelling a hydrogen car may vary slightly depending on the make and model of the vehicle, but the process is generally the same across different hydrogen cars. For example, with the Toyota Mirai, you pull up to a pump and press a button on the dashboard to open the fuel filler cap. You then make the payment at the pump, lift the pump nozzle, and connect it to the filling point on the car. After a quick squeeze of the trigger to lock the nozzle in place and a press of the start button on the pump, the refuelling process is complete.
One important distinction to note is that hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms instead of gallons. A full tank for the Mirai, for instance, is approximately five kilograms, which provides about 66 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of hydrogen gas. The cost of refuelling with hydrogen is comparable to that of a petrol car, and some manufacturers even offer incentives such as three years of free fuel with the purchase of a vehicle.
In terms of safety, hydrogen refuelling is also quite secure. Hydrogen tanks have been extensively tested over the last few decades to ensure their durability. Additionally, in the unlikely event of a rupture, the gas is lighter than air and dissipates quickly, reducing the risk of a dangerous buildup.
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Hydrogen fuel is expensive but comes with incentives
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is an appealing power source for vehicles, especially for long-haul trucks or ships that are difficult to electrify. However, the high cost of hydrogen fuel is a significant barrier to its widespread adoption. In California, for example, hydrogen fuel typically costs about $25 per kilogram, making it more expensive than gasoline. At this price, refuelling a standard car would cost around $135.
While hydrogen fuel is expensive, the nascent industry is working on making it more affordable. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles often come with incentives such as three years' worth of free fuel, which can significantly offset the high fuel costs. For instance, Toyota provides all Mirai owners with a hydrogen gas card worth $15,000, covering approximately three years of hydrogen gas costs.
Various financial incentives are also available for hydrogen fuel cell projects. The U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office offers information on federal and state incentives, including tax credits and provisions to increase domestic renewable energy production. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes incentives for clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, such as extending and increasing existing federal tax credits. The Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit provides a 10-year incentive of up to $3.00/kilogram for clean hydrogen production. Additionally, California, a leader in renewable hydrogen fuel production, offers several attractive consumer incentives for hydrogen fuel cell electric car owners. These include a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 for new vehicles purchased in 2023 or later and the Clean Air Vehicle decal, allowing solo access to carpool lanes.
As hydrogen fuel cell technology advances, it is expected to become more cost-effective and efficient, making it a more viable option for consumers. The development of infrastructure for storing and transporting hydrogen gas, along with increased production, will contribute to reducing the cost of hydrogen fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
Refuelling a hydrogen car is a similar process to refuelling a traditional car. First, bring the vehicle to a complete stop with the hydrogen dispenser facing the nearside of the vehicle. Then, close all windows, shift the transmission selector to Park, and turn off the power. Next, open the fuel filler door, remove the plastic dust cap covering the vehicle's hydrogen receptacle and insert the pump nozzle into the receptacle. Finally, follow the instructions on the supply station to fill the hydrogen tank.
Currently, the cost of refuelling a hydrogen car is about the same as refuelling a petrol car. However, hydrogen fuel is measured by kilograms instead of gallons, with one kilogram costing around $16.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use regenerative braking, which allows them to conserve energy and charge the car's battery when you step on the brake pedal. This means that when driving locally or in the city, you may only need to refuel your car once every two weeks or every 250 miles.
