Powering The Future: Unlocking The Potential Of Fuel Cell Electric Cars

Fuel cell electric cars are powered by hydrogen and oxygen and emit water as a byproduct. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications 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 air) is introduced to the cathode.

Hydrogen fuel gas stored in carbon-fiber tanks

Hydrogen fuel gas is stored in carbon-fiber reinforced tanks to provide fuel to the fuel-cell stack. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications 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 air) is introduced to the cathode. The hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. Protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode. The electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to perform work (providing power to the electric motor) then recombine with the protons on the cathode side where the protons, electrons, and oxygen molecules combine to form water.

The fuel-cell stack is an assembly of individual membrane electrodes that use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The electric motor then powers the car using energy produced in the fuel cell stack. The battery captures energy from regenerative braking and provides additional power to the electric motor. The byproduct of the reaction occurring in the fuel cell stack is water vapor, which is emitted through the exhaust.

Hydrogen fuel gas is stored in carbon-fiber tanks to provide fuel to the fuel-cell stack and the electric motor powers the car using energy produced in the fuel cell stack. The numbers of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCHEV) are increasing and stakeholders are working to ensure hydrogen is widely available to drivers.

Electric motor powered by energy produced in fuel cell

A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is a vehicle that uses a fuel cell stack to produce electricity. The fuel cell stack is an assembly of individual membrane electrodes that use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The hydrogen gas is stored in carbon-fiber reinforced tanks and is used to power the electric motor through the fuel cell stack. The electric motor then powers the car using the energy produced in the fuel cell stack.

The power electronics controller (FCEV) manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the fuel cell and the traction battery, controlling the speed of the electric traction motor and the torque it produces. The traction battery also captures energy from regenerative braking and provides additional power to the electric motor. The thermal system (cooling) maintains a proper operating temperature range of the fuel cell, electric motor, power electronics, and other components.

The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications 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 air) is introduced to the cathode. The hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. Protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode. The electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to perform work (providing power to the electric motor) then recombine with the protons on the cathode side where the protons, electrons, and oxygen molecules combine to form water.

The byproduct of the reaction occurring in the fuel cell stack is water vapor, which is emitted through the exhaust. Fuel cell cars are available for sale or lease by major automakers in popular vehicle types, including sedans and compact SUVs. As the numbers increase, stakeholders are working to ensure hydrogen is widely available to drivers.

Water vapor emitted as byproduct of reaction

Water vapor is emitted through the exhaust as a byproduct of the reaction occurring in the fuel cell stack. Hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. Protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode. The electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to perform work (providing power to the electric motor) then recombine with the protons on the cathode side where the protons, electrons, and oxygen molecules combine to form water.

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell

A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is a series hybrid that uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications 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 air) is introduced to the cathode. The hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. Protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode. The electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to perform work (providing power to the electric motor) then recombine with the protons on the cathode side where the protons, electrons, and oxygen molecules combine to form water.

The fuel cell stack is an assembly of individual membrane electrodes that use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The fuel filler is a nozzle from a fuel dispenser that attaches to the receptacle on the vehicle to fill the tank. The fuel tank (hydrogen) stores hydrogen gas onboard the vehicle until it's needed by the fuel cell. The power electronics controller (FCEV) manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the fuel cell and the traction battery, controlling the speed of the electric traction motor and the torque it produces. The thermal system (cooling) maintains a proper operating temperature range of the fuel cell, electric motor, power electronics, and other components.

The electric motor powers the car using energy produced in the fuel cell stack. The battery captures energy from regenerative braking and provides additional power to the electric motor. The byproduct of the reaction occurring in the fuel cell stack is water vapor, which is emitted through the exhaust.

Fuel cell cars are available for sale or lease by major automakers in popular vehicle types, including sedans and compact SUVs. As the numbers increase, stakeholders are working to ensure hydrogen is widely available to drivers.

Hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons

Hydrogen fuel cell electric cars are a clean energy alternative to conventional vehicles. Hydrogen is not a fuel but an energy carrier and HFCV drivers refill their vehicles' carbon-fiber high-pressure tanks at "hydrogen fueling stations".

The most common type of fuel cell for vehicle applications 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 air) is introduced to the cathode. The hydrogen molecules break apart into protons and electrons due to an electrochemical reaction aided by a catalyst. Protons then travel through the membrane to the cathode. The electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to perform work (providing power to the electric motor) then recombine with the protons on the cathode side where the protons, electrons, and oxygen molecules combine to form water.

The electric motor then powers the car using energy produced in the fuel cell stack. The battery captures energy from regenerative braking and provides additional power to the electric motor. The byproduct of the reaction occurring in the fuel cell stack is water vapor, which is emitted through the exhaust.

Fuel cell cars are available for sale or lease by major automakers in popular vehicle types, including sedans and compact SUVs. As the numbers increase, stakeholders are working to ensure hydrogen is widely available to drivers.

Frequently asked questions