Sylvie Willis
A fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) uses a fuel cell, sometimes in combination with a small battery, to power its electric motor. Hydrogen fuel cell cars, such as the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai, are powered by hydrogen gas, which combines with oxygen from the atmosphere to produce water and electricity. Fuel cells are much more efficient than combustion engines, and hydrogen is an energy-efficient chemical process. However, hydrogen storage is problematic, and the price of hydrogen fuel is currently high, with the average price of hydrogen for a light-duty fuel cell electric vehicle in California being $16.51 per kilogram in 2019.
Fuel Cell Car Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Fuel Cell | Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell |
| Parts of Fuel Cell | Electrolyte, Anode, Cathode |
| Power Source | Electric Motor |
| Energy Source | Hydrogen |
| Hydrogen Source | Natural Gas |
| Hydrogen Storage | Carbon-fibre High-pressure Tanks |
| Hydrogen Refuelling Time | 3-4 minutes |
| Emission | Water vapour, No local emissions |
| Energy Recovery | Recovers braking energy |
| Fuel Cell Output | 15 kW (20 horsepower) to 90 kW (120 horsepower) |
| Fuel Economy | 67 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe) |
| Fuel Cell Applications | Cars, Trucks, Buses, Boats, Forklifts, Aircraft |
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What You'll Learn
How do fuel cell cars work?
Fuel cell cars are powered by electricity, generated through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell. Hydrogen is stored in a tank on board the vehicle and is combined with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, powering an electric motor. This process is called electrolysis, and the electricity generated can be used to power an electric motor that drives the vehicle.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are considered electric vehicles (EVs) but differ from other EVs in their range and refueling processes. They are comparable to conventional cars in these respects. The refueling process for hydrogen fuel cell cars is much quicker than for battery-powered cars, taking as little as five minutes. The range of a fuel cell car is also similar to that of a conventional car, whereas the range of a battery-powered car depends on the power used during the drive and the age of the battery.
The electricity generated by the fuel cell is managed by a power electronics controller, which controls the speed and torque of the electric traction motor. The amount of energy stored on board is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank. A thermal system is also required to maintain the proper operating temperature of the fuel cell, electric motor, and other components.
Fuel cell cars are considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional cars that run on gasoline or diesel. They produce no harmful tailpipe emissions, only water vapour and warm air. However, it is important to note that producing the hydrogen fuel can lead to pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions.
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Types of fuel cells
A fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell, in combination with a battery, to power its electric motor. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicles is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. However, there are several other types of fuel cells, including:
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells
The most common type of fuel cell for vehicles, PEM fuel cells use a polymer membrane as an electrolyte. Hydrogen is introduced to the negative electrode (anode), and oxygen is introduced to the positive electrode (cathode). An electrochemical reaction, aided by a catalyst, breaks the hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons. The protons travel through the membrane to the cathode, while the electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit, providing power to the electric motor. The electrons then recombine with the protons on the cathode side, where they combine with oxygen molecules to form water.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
These fuel cells use methanol (a type of alcohol) and water as fuel, and produce electricity through a chemical reaction.
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells
Phosphoric acid fuel cells use phosphoric acid as an electrolyte and can operate at high temperatures, making them suitable for stationary power generation.
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells
With a molten carbonate salt mixture as an electrolyte, these fuel cells can also operate at high temperatures and are often used for stationary power generation.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
With a solid oxide ceramic material as the electrolyte, these fuel cells can operate at very high temperatures and are known for their durability and fuel flexibility.
Reformed Methanol Fuel Cells
These fuel cells use a reformer to convert liquid methanol fuel into hydrogen, which then undergoes an electrochemical reaction to produce electricity.
Regenerative Fuel Cells
Regenerative fuel cells can function in reverse, acting as an electrolyser to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water and electricity. This makes them useful for energy storage applications.
Fuel cell cars, such as the Toyota Mirai, offer clean energy and innovative technology, contributing to a more sustainable future. They are known for their quiet operation, energy efficiency, and zero emissions, making them an attractive alternative to conventional gasoline cars.
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Fuel cell cars vs. electric cars
A fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell, sometimes in combination with a small battery or supercapacitor, to power its onboard electric motor. Fuel cells in vehicles generate electricity generally using oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen.
Fuel cell cars and electric cars are both considered zero-emissions vehicles. However, there are several differences between the two that can affect your decision to own one over the other.
Availability and Popularity
Electric cars are widely available and have a large number of users compared to fuel cell cars. There are about 57 battery electric vehicle models on sale in the US, with industry watchers expecting this number to quadruple by 2040. In comparison, there are only two hydrogen fuel cell cars available today: the Toyota Mirai sedan and the Hyundai Nexo crossover, both sold only in California.
Driving Range
The driving range for electric vehicles can range from 150 to 375 miles, while for hydrogen fuel cell cars, it ranges from 357 miles to 402 miles, depending on the tank size. With a larger tank size, hydrogen-powered cars can go farther than electric vehicles of the same size.
Refueling Time
Refueling time for hydrogen fuel cell cars is much faster than that of electric vehicles. It only takes a few minutes to refill the hydrogen tank at a dedicated filling station, whereas electric vehicles need to be plugged into a charging outlet or station for a longer period.
Efficiency
Electric vehicles are more energy-efficient than hydrogen fuel cell cars, utilizing around 80% of the total energy to power the vehicle. The process of turning electricity into a charged battery and then back into electricity to run a motor is inherently more efficient than creating hydrogen and then turning it back into water to reclaim the energy investment.
Environmental Impact
While both types of vehicles produce zero emissions or fumes, the manufacturing and disposal of electric vehicle batteries can lead to pollution and resource depletion, particularly due to the consumption of lithium and cobalt-like materials. On the other hand, hydrogen fuel cells can be 100% renewable and environmentally friendly, as they release pure water vapor and filter out ultrafine dust from the atmosphere. However, the process of converting hydrogen gas into electricity to operate the vehicle is complex, and the transportation and storage of hydrogen can create pollutants.
In summary, while fuel cell cars offer advantages in terms of driving range and refueling time, electric cars are currently more popular, efficient, and widely available. However, as technology develops, the competition between these two types of vehicles may intensify, providing consumers with more options for zero-emissions transportation.
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History of fuel cell cars
The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801, although Anthony Carlisle and William Nicholson are credited with creating the first electrolyzer in the same year. In 1839, the first fuel cell was conceived, and in 1889, the term "fuel cell" was first used by Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer, who built a fuel cell prototype using industrial coal gas and air. In 1847, chemist, lawyer, and physicist William Grove invented a working fuel cell, converting the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electricity.
In 1932, English engineer Francis Bacon started a project that made fuel cells practical for real-world applications. In 1933, Norway's Norsk Hydro Power developed a hydrogen-powered truck with an internal combustion engine. In 1939, Bacon developed a five-kilowatt fuel cell, the first mainstream fuel cell of the 20th century. In 1941, Russia converted 200 gasoline-powered trucks to run on hydrogen. In 1959, a fuel cell powered a 2-horsepower tractor, the first of its kind.
In the 1960s, GE produced a fuel-cell electrical power system for NASA's space program, and in 1966, General Motors' Electrovan became one of the first fuel cell electric vehicles. In 1998, Iceland announced its plan to convert all its public transportation vehicles to fuel cells over ten years. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a boom in hydrogen cars being introduced to the global market. Honda released the first commercially available fuel cell car, the Honda FCX Clarity, in 2008.
In 2015, Toyota offered its 5,680 hydrogen fuel cell patents to competitors for free to stimulate the market. By 2020, only three carmakers were manufacturing hydrogen cars. In 2024, Mirai owners filed a class-action lawsuit in California over the lack of hydrogen availability for fuel cell cars. Despite the challenges, the global hydrogen fuel cells market is projected to reach $13.7 billion by 2026, highlighting the critical need for expanding hydrogen infrastructure.
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Pros and cons of fuel cell cars
A fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell, sometimes in combination with a small battery or supercapacitor, to power its onboard electric motor. Fuel cells in vehicles generally use oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen to generate electricity.
Now that we know what a fuel cell car is, let's look at the pros and cons:
Pros
- Fuel cell cars are zero-emissions vehicles, only emitting water vapour.
- They are quiet, with low engine noise.
- They have instant torque from the electric motor.
- The cost per mile is a fraction of that for a gasoline-powered car.
- They have a widespread electric infrastructure, and electricity can be partially derived from renewable sources.
- They have the potential for excellent fuel economy, and can run on existing gasoline supplies.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have a similar five-minute refuelling time to traditional gas stations.
- They are widely considered as safe as any other car.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be used in combination with a small battery, allowing for the recapturing of braking energy and providing extra power during short acceleration.
- Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe.
Cons
- Long recharging times.
- Limited range.
- Expensive batteries.
- Electricity production in much of the world uses coal, which is not a clean-burning source.
- High-voltage home chargers can be expensive, and public chargers are scarce.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are much rarer than electric vehicles, with only about 17,000 in the US as of mid-2022.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are currently only available in California, the sole state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are more expensive than similar conventional cars.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may not live up to the gas mileage buyers expect, especially considering the extra purchase price.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are considered by some to be "too little, too late", with big savings needed to make them more widespread.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel cell car, also known as a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), is an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, powering its on-board electric motor.
Fuel cell cars use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. The hydrogen is stored in tanks in the car and the oxygen is taken from the ambient air. The hydrogen and oxygen are combined in the fuel cell stack, where a chemical reaction takes place, creating electricity to power the car.
Fuel cell cars are a type of zero-emissions vehicle, as the only by-product of the chemical reaction that takes place in the fuel cell is water vapour. Hydrogen fuel cells are also constantly recharged by the fuel cell and can recover braking energy.
