Ameer Randolph
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by hydrogen, which combines with oxygen from the air to generate electricity and power the motor. Unlike battery-electric vehicles, FCEVs do not require recharging but can be refuelled with hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel cells were first demonstrated in 1801, but the first working fuel cell was invented in 1842. Since 2015, several hydrogen-powered cars have been offered for sale, including the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai. However, critics have questioned the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cell technology for automobiles, and there is currently limited hydrogen infrastructure available to support these vehicles.
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What You'll Learn
How do fuel cell electric vehicles work?
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by fuel cells, which function like batteries, producing electricity to run an electric motor. Instead of requiring recharging, the fuel cell can be refilled with hydrogen. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicles is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In a PEM fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). Hydrogen is introduced to the anode, and oxygen (from the air) is introduced to the cathode.
The hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. The protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode, while the electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to provide power to the electric motor. The electrons then recombine with the protons on the cathode side, where the protons, electrons, and oxygen molecules combine to form water. This water is the only by-product of the process, meaning that FCEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions.
The amount of energy stored in an FCEV is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank, which stores hydrogen gas onboard the vehicle. The hydrogen is pumped into the tank at a fuelling station and travels to carbon-fibre-reinforced fuel tanks, where it is stored. The hydrogen fuel tank has safety features such as hydrogen sensors that detect leaks or collisions, which automatically close the tank valves to prevent further hydrogen escape.
FCEVs also contain a battery, which is used for recapturing braking energy, providing extra power during short acceleration events, and smoothing out the power delivered from the fuel cell. The battery can be recharged from excess fuel-cell output when the car is cruising at a steady speed or via regenerative braking when the car slows. The power electronics controller (FCEV) manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the fuel cell and the battery, controlling the speed of the electric traction motor and the torque it produces.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
A hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle (HFCV) uses an electric motor to turn its wheels, similar to a battery-electric car. However, instead of being powered by a large, heavy battery, it uses a fuel-cell stack where pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water vapour. This process involves hydrogen molecules breaking down into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. The protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode, while the electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to power the electric motor. Subsequently, they recombine with the protons on the cathode side, where, along with oxygen molecules, they form water.
The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801, but the invention of the first working fuel cell is credited to chemist, lawyer, and physicist William Grove, who, in 1842, proved that an electric current could be produced by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst.
The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which consists of an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). Hydrogen is introduced to the anode, and oxygen to the cathode.
FCEVs are fuelled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle and can be refuelled in about five minutes, similar to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. They are also equipped with advanced technologies to increase efficiency, such as regenerative braking systems that capture the energy lost during braking and store it in a battery.
As of 2024, there were fewer than 50 hydrogen fuelling stations for automobiles publicly available in the U.S., with the majority located in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. This lack of infrastructure has led to criticism regarding the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen for automobiles compared to other zero-emission technologies.
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Fuel cell electric vehicles vs. battery-electric vehicles
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are the two primary options for all-electric vehicles. Both use electric motors for propulsion and eliminate the pollution and inefficiencies associated with internal combustion engines. However, there are several key differences between the two technologies.
FCEVs, such as the Honda CR-V e:FCEV and the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, derive their energy from hydrogen stored in the vehicle. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which is made up of an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). Hydrogen is introduced to the anode, and oxygen from the air is introduced to the cathode, creating an electrochemical reaction that produces electricity to power the vehicle. One of the benefits of FCEVs is that they can be refuelled with hydrogen instead of requiring recharging, and they have superior range capabilities compared to BEVs. However, critics doubt the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen for automobiles due to the limited hydrogen infrastructure and the challenges of producing, transporting, and storing hydrogen.
On the other hand, BEVs obtain their energy from batteries that were charged by the electrical grid. BEVs are considered more efficient in terms of turning electricity into a charged battery and then back into electricity to run the motor. The amount of power and energy available in BEVs are closely related to the battery's size. BEVs are also more widely available, with a growing number of automakers focusing on their development. However, BEVs may face challenges with battery range and replacement, as well as the environmental impact of mining the required lithium.
Both FCEVs and BEVs have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is likely that a combination of these technologies, along with hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, will be necessary to achieve significant reductions in transportation sector carbon emissions and oil dependence. Hydrogen and electricity, produced from low- or zero-carbon sources, could become our primary zero-carbon transportation fuels in the future.
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The history of fuel cell vehicles
Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have a long history, with early experiments in the field dating back to the 19th century. The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801, but the invention of the first working fuel cell is credited to chemist, lawyer, and physicist Sir William Grove in 1842. Grove's "gas voltaic battery" proved that an electric current could be produced by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst.
English engineer Francis Thomas Bacon expanded on Grove's work from 1839 to 1959, creating and demonstrating various alkaline fuel cells. The first modern fuel cell vehicle was a modified Allis-Chalmers farm tractor, fitted with a 15-kilowatt fuel cell, in 1959. The Cold War Space Race further propelled the development of fuel cell technology, with the Gemini and Apollo Programs testing fuel cells for electrical power during crewed space missions.
In 1966, the first road vehicle powered by a fuel cell was introduced: the Chevrolet Electrovan by General Motors. The Toyota FCHV and Honda FCX, which began leasing in 2002, became the first government-certified commercial fuel cell vehicles. The Honda FCX Clarity, which began leasing in 2008, was the first fuel cell vehicle designed for mass production. In 2013, Hyundai Motors began production of the Hyundai ix35 FCEV, the first mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicle, followed by the Toyota Mirai in 2014, the first dedicated fuel cell vehicle for sale.
Fuel cell technology has been explored in various vehicles, including forklifts, drones, airplanes, trucks, buses, boats, ships, motorcycles, and bicycles. As of 2020, there were only two models of fuel cell cars publicly available: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. However, critics doubt the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cells for automobiles compared to other zero-emission technologies, citing the limited hydrogen infrastructure. Nevertheless, fuel cells continue to be of interest to the military and aviation industries due to their low noise, low thermal signature, and ability to attain high altitudes.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the military
A fuel cell electric vehicle is powered by electricity generated in a fuel cell using hydrogen and oxygen. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicles is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which consists of an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode).
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are of particular interest to the military due to their low noise, low thermal signature, and ability to attain high altitudes. The U.S. military, for example, is exploring the use of hydrogen fuel cells in a variety of applications, from powering soldier gear to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs, or drones, are typically used in military operations where manned flights would be too risky or difficult. While battery-powered drones can stay airborne for up to 30 minutes, hydrogen fuel cells can increase their airtime to approximately eight hours, with a refuelling time of less than 15 minutes.
In 2009, the Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL's) Ion Tiger utilised a hydrogen-powered fuel cell and flew for 23 hours and 17 minutes. Boeing is also testing the Phantom Eye, a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft that can fly at 20,000 metres (65,000 feet) for up to four days at a time for research and surveillance purposes. Additionally, fuel cells are being used to provide auxiliary power for aircraft, replacing fossil fuel generators used for starting engines and powering onboard electrical needs.
On the ground, the U.S. Army is evaluating the ZH2, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered light-duty utility truck based on a Chevy Colorado, for potential use in military operations. The ZH2 has a reinforced body and a suspension built for off-road handling. Its fuel cell and battery system are quieter and produce less heat than traditional internal combustion engines, reducing the vehicle's sound and thermal signatures. The truck's 50-kilowatt battery, charged by the fuel cell, can be removed to power other applications. Furthermore, the ZH2 can provide clean drinking water for soldiers, as the only byproduct of the fuel cell is pure water.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel cell electric car is a vehicle that uses a fuel cell to power an electric motor. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicles is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.
In a fuel cell electric car, hydrogen and oxygen are combined in a fuel cell stack to produce electricity, which powers the electric motor. The hydrogen is stored in a fuel tank and the oxygen is drawn from the outside air. The electricity produced by the fuel cell powers the electric motor, which turns the wheels.
Fuel cell electric cars have several benefits over traditional internal combustion engines. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, only emitting water vapor. They also have a longer range than battery-electric vehicles and can be refueled more quickly. Additionally, fuel cell electric cars are quieter and produce less thermal signature, making them attractive for military applications.
