Regan Brown
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCV) are powered by electricity, but unlike battery-powered electric vehicles, they produce their own electricity. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. The electricity is generated through a process known as reverse electrolysis, which takes place in a fuel cell. In this process, hydrogen from the fuel tank combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, which is then directed into the electric motor and/or battery. The only byproducts of this reaction are electrical energy, heat, and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Hydrogen |
| Fuel state | Gas |
| Fuel tank material | Carbon-fibre |
| Fuel tank type | High-pressure |
| Fuel cell type | Electric |
| Fuel cell function | Converts chemical energy to electrical energy |
| Fuel cell construction | Similar to a battery |
| Fuel cell stack | An assembly of individual membrane electrodes |
| Fuel cell stack function | Uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity |
| Fuel cell stack byproduct | Water vapour |
| Fuel refill time | 3-5 minutes |
| Fuel range | 300-400 miles |
| Fuel production method | Steam-methane reforming |
| Fuel production method byproduct | Carbon dioxide |
| Fuel station availability | Limited |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
HFCVs use an electric motor similar to battery-electric cars but differ in their power source. While battery-electric vehicles rely on a large, heavy battery, HFCVs generate electricity on-board through the chemical reaction in the fuel cell. This makes HFCVs technically a series hybrid, or fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
The hydrogen used in HFCVs is stored in high-pressure, carbon-fibre tanks and can be refuelled at specialised hydrogen fuelling stations in a similar manner to traditional gas stations, with a refuelling time of around 5 minutes. The hydrogen fuel itself is derived from "cracking" compounds like natural gas (CH4) into pure H2, a process that currently produces CO2 as a byproduct.
HFCVs offer several advantages, including shorter refuelling times compared to charging electric vehicles and zero local emissions. The driving experience is similar to electric cars, with dynamic and silent acceleration due to the full torque provided by electric motors even at low speeds.
Despite the potential, HFCVs have faced challenges in terms of market adoption. As of 2021, only two models of hydrogen cars were publicly available in select markets: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. The Honda CR-V e:FCEV was also introduced in limited quantities for lease in 2024. However, the availability of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure has been a challenge, with a significant number of stations in California facing issues with dispensing hydrogen.
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Hydrogen combustion cars
Hydrogen combustion engines work by burning hydrogen in a conventional internal combustion engine, modified to manage the high-speed combustion of hydrogen. They run on similar principles as diesel engines but require specialised fuel injectors and ignition systems to manage the distinct characteristics of hydrogen. Hydrogen combustion engines produce power through combustion, like conventional engines.
The benefits of hydrogen combustion engines include the ability to leverage existing internal combustion engine technologies, quick refuelling times, and a significant reduction in the need for limited supply elements like lithium and nickel. Toyota, a company that has been at the forefront of developing hydrogen combustion engines, believes that hydrogen combustion could lead to widespread, accessible carbon-reduction solutions faster.
While hydrogen combustion engines have potential, there are some challenges to their adoption. Hydrogen is more difficult to store and transport than other fuels due to the small size of its molecules. Additionally, as of 2021, hydrogen cars were only publicly available in select markets, with the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo being the only two models available. With the rapid rise of electric vehicles and associated battery technology, the global scope for hydrogen's role in cars has been shrinking relative to earlier expectations.
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Hydrogen fuel production
Hydrogen fuel technology has the potential to drive sustainability and carbon reduction objectives in many industries. Hydrogen fuel can be produced through several methods, including natural gas reforming, electrolysis, solar-driven processes, and biological processes.
Natural gas reforming is a thermal process that involves steam reforming, where high-temperature steam reacts with a hydrocarbon fuel to produce hydrogen. Many hydrocarbon fuels can be reformed to produce hydrogen, including natural gas, diesel, renewable liquid fuels, gasified coal, or gasified biomass. Steam-methane reforming, a type of natural gas reforming, is the most common method of hydrogen production in the United States.
Electrolysis is another widely used method for hydrogen production. It involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric current. Electrolysis itself does not produce any byproducts or emissions other than hydrogen and oxygen. The electricity for electrolysis is typically provided by a mix of renewable sources, nuclear energy, and fossil fuels.
Solar-driven processes use light as the agent for hydrogen production. Some examples include photobiological, photoelectrochemical, and solar thermochemical processes. Photobiological processes harness the natural photosynthetic activity of bacteria and green algae to produce hydrogen, while photoelectrochemical processes use specialized semiconductors to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. Solar thermochemical hydrogen production employs concentrated solar power to drive water-splitting reactions, often in combination with other species like metal oxides.
Biological processes utilize microbes such as bacteria and microalgae to generate hydrogen through biological reactions. In microbial biomass conversion, these microbes break down organic matter like biomass or wastewater to produce hydrogen.
The production of hydrogen fuel requires precise and reliable technologies to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations. Hydrogen-enabled fueling stations and electrolyzers are essential for the scalability of hydrogen-based technology and carbon-free solutions. However, safety and performance standards must be prioritized to meet market demands and facilitate the growth of hydrogen-powered vehicles and power systems.
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Hydrogen refuelling
Hydrogen-powered cars are classified as e-cars, and they are powered by an electric motor. Unlike other electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles produce electricity themselves. This is done by converting the hydrogen in the fuel tank into electricity. The power plant in a hydrogen car is the fuel cell, which uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electrical energy. This energy is then directed into the electric motor and/or the battery, as needed.
The hydrogen is then compressed to increase pressure and reduce volume, allowing for a greater amount to be stored and an efficient flow of gas for dispensing. After compression, the hydrogen is passed through a heat exchanger to remove excess heat generated during the compression process. Hydrogen-resistant valves and fittings are used to control the highly pressurised gas. The gas is then cooled to subzero temperatures for fast and efficient filling, ensuring safety and compliance with filling protocols.
The high-pressure gas is then stored until it is dispensed to a vehicle. This storage process is controlled by specially designed valves, fittings, and electrical controls that regulate pressure and interact with the dispenser and vehicle. Finally, the hydrogen is dispensed via a nozzle controlled by a smart valve, which regulates the flow rate to fill the vehicle to the required pressure. The refuelling process for a typical hydrogen car takes about three minutes, while a bus takes about seven minutes.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vs battery electric vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) and battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) are both electric and produce zero emissions or fumes. However, there are several differences between the two that can affect your decision to own one over the other.
How They Work
BEVs are powered by Li-ion batteries, which are charged by plugging into the electric grid. The electrical energy then powers the electric motor and the entire power system of the car. On the other hand, FCEVs are fuelled by hydrogen fuel cells. The fuel cell strips the electrons from the hydrogen molecules, making electricity to power the vehicle's electric motor. The electricity produced is stored in a battery, which passes down the current to the motor that moves the wheels.
Driving Range
The driving range for BEVs can range from 150 to 375 miles, depending on the vehicle. In comparison, FCEVs offer a better driving range, with a range of 400 to 600 miles, depending on the tank size.
Refueling Time
Refueling time for FCEVs is much quicker than BEVs, taking only a few minutes to refill the hydrogen tank. In contrast, the charging time for BEVs depends on the model and infrastructure.
Efficiency
BEVs are more energy-efficient than FCEVs, utilizing around 80% of the total energy to power the vehicle. FCEVs are less efficient due to the complex processes of converting hydrogen gas into electricity to operate the vehicle.
Infrastructure
BEVs have a better-established infrastructure to support them, with a vast, nationwide electrical system already in place. In contrast, FCEVs are limited primarily to California, which has most of the country's few hydrogen stations.
Cost
The cost of BEVs has been decreasing due to the falling price of lithium-ion batteries. While the cost of FCEVs has also come down in recent years, it remains high due to the cost of hydrogen fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
A hydrogen-powered car is an electric car that runs on electricity generated by a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electrical energy, which is then directed into the electric motor.
Hydrogen-powered cars use a fuel cell system to convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy. The hydrogen is stored in carbon-fiber reinforced tanks and combined with oxygen in a fuel cell stack to generate electricity and power the electric motor.
Hydrogen-powered cars have several benefits over electric cars. They have shorter refuelling times, can travel longer distances on a full tank, and produce zero emissions. They are also more efficient and powerful than electric cars.
As of 2021, there were two hydrogen-powered cars publicly available in select markets: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. The Honda Clarity was produced from 2016 to 2021, and the Honda CR-V e:FCEV was available for lease in limited quantities in 2024.
