Regan Brown
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that is converted into electricity to power the car's electric motor. Unlike conventional vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel, hydrogen fuel cell cars produce no tailpipe emissions, only water vapour. Hydrogen vehicles have a similar range and refuelling process to conventional cars and trucks, but they are more expensive to produce. Hydrogen fuel is also highly flammable and has a global warming effect 11.6 times stronger than CO₂.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of vehicle | Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCV) or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) |
| How they work | Hydrogen combines with oxygen in a fuel cell to power electric motors |
| Fuel storage | Hydrogen gas is stored in carbon-fiber reinforced tanks |
| Power | The power of the vehicle is defined by the size of the electric motor(s) |
| Battery | Captures energy from regenerative braking and provides additional power to the electric motor |
| Exhaust | The byproduct of the reaction occurring in the fuel cell stack is water vapour, which is emitted through the exhaust |
| Refuelling | Hydrogen is sold at hydrogen refuelling stations and takes less than 10 minutes to fill current models |
| Range | Hydrogen vehicles can travel 300-400 miles on a full tank of hydrogen fuel |
| Environmental impact | Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions and are more environmentally friendly than conventional vehicles |
| Cost | Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are currently more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines |
| Availability | As of 2021, there were two models of hydrogen cars publicly available: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCV)
HFCVs use the same kind of electric motor as battery-electric cars, but instead of being powered by a large, heavy battery, they are powered by a fuel cell stack. Hydrogen is stored in carbon-fibre-reinforced tanks, and the amount of energy stored on board is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank. The hydrogen fuel cell stack combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and power the electric motor. This electricity then takes two routes, depending on the driving situation: it flows to the electric motor to drive the vehicle, and/or it charges a battery that acts as temporary storage until the energy is needed for the drive. This buffer battery is smaller and lighter than the battery of an all-electric car and is constantly recharged by the fuel cell.
HFCVs have a similar range and refueling process to conventional cars and trucks, taking less than 10 minutes to fill current models and offering a driving range of 200-300 miles, similar to gasoline or diesel-only vehicles. Hydrogen is also one of the most efficient ways to store and transport renewable energy, and it plays an important role in the future energy supply. However, hydrogen is more difficult to store and transport due to the small size of its molecules, and leaked hydrogen is highly flammable and has a global warming effect 11.6 times stronger than CO2.
HFCVs are also more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines due to industrialization in production not being fully developed, the demand for platinum as a catalyst, and low production volumes. However, increased production volumes are expected to reduce costs. As of 2021, there were only two models of hydrogen cars publicly available in select markets: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo.
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Hydrogen combustion cars
Hydrogen fuel is an alternative to traditional fossil fuels such as gasoline or methane. Hydrogen vehicles include road vehicles, rail vehicles, space rockets, forklifts, ships, and aircraft. Hydrogen combustion cars are a type of hydrogen vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine to burn hydrogen fuel.
The first hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine was designed by François Isaac de Rivaz in 1807. In 1965, Roger E. Billings, a high school student, converted a Model A to run on hydrogen. In 1970, Paul Dieges patented a modification to internal combustion engines, allowing a gasoline-powered engine to run on hydrogen. Mazda has also developed Wankel engines that burn hydrogen, such as the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE.
While hydrogen combustion cars are not yet commercially available, several automotive manufacturers have expressed interest in developing them. For example, BMW tested a luxury car named the BMW Hydrogen 7 between 2005 and 2007, which achieved 301 km/h (187 mph) in tests. Toyota has also developed a prototype hydrogen combustion road car, the Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept, which is currently being tested and evaluated. In addition, Toyota has participated in the Super Taikyu endurance races in Japan with a hydrogen combustion GR Corolla H2, showcasing the potential of hydrogen combustion in motorsports.
Despite the interest in hydrogen combustion cars, some critics argue that it is a dead-end technology, particularly for heavy-duty trucks. They argue that hydrogen combustion engines will still produce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, such as N2O, due to impurities in the fuel and hydrocarbons in the engine lubricant. Additionally, the production and transportation of hydrogen can result in high carbon emissions if it is produced from natural gas. However, proponents of hydrogen combustion cars highlight the benefits of leveraging existing internal combustion engine technologies, quick refuelling times, and a reduction in the need for limited supply elements like lithium and nickel.
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Hydrogen as an energy carrier
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) use hydrogen as an energy carrier to power electric motors. Hydrogen is a good energy carrier because of its strong propensity to bind with other elements. This makes it a clean energy source that produces zero tailpipe emissions. The only waste produced by hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is pure water vapour.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell stack. This fuel cell stack does not burn the gas but transforms the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy. This electricity then powers the car's electric motors.
The process of creating pure hydrogen for vehicles requires a great deal of energy. Pure hydrogen is obtained by cracking a compound like natural gas (CH4) into pure H2, with CO2 as a byproduct. The hydrogen then combines with oxygen in the fuel cell, producing electricity and water vapour.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have a similar range and refueling process to conventional cars and trucks. They can travel about 200-300 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, and refueling takes less than 10 minutes. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also able to recapture wasted energy through regenerative braking.
Despite the benefits of hydrogen as an energy carrier for vehicles, there are some drawbacks. Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to the small size of its molecules, and leaked hydrogen is highly flammable and has a global warming effect 11.6 times stronger than CO2. Additionally, the production of hydrogen can lead to pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions, especially when derived from natural gas.
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Hydrogen refueling stations
Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRSs) are crucial for supporting the use of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). These stations are rapidly spreading worldwide to accommodate the growing demand for FCEVs.
A hydrogen refuelling station fills an FCEV with hydrogen as transportation fuel. This process is known as reverse electrolysis, where hydrogen from the vehicle's tank reacts with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat, and water vapour. The electricity generated powers the electric motor and drives the vehicle.
The infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling is constantly expanding globally. For instance, Air Products announced plans to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale, multi-modal hydrogen refuelling stations in California, connecting Northern and Southern regions. These stations will serve heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses, as well as light-duty FCEVs.
However, one challenge with hydrogen refuelling stations is the time they may become temporarily non-operational (TNO). A TNO station is one that has been open for retail but becomes unavailable for an extended period for various reasons. Nevertheless, the development of these stations is a significant step towards eliminating diesel dependence in the transportation sector and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' benefits and drawbacks
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by an electric motor and are classified as e-cars. They are different from other electric vehicles in that they produce their own electricity. Hydrogen vehicles have a fuel cell and battery combination, with the amount of energy stored on board determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank.
Benefits
FCEVs have zero tailpipe emissions, with the main exhaust product being water vapour. Hydrogen is a clean fuel, and the electrochemical process in the fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electrical energy, which powers an efficient electric engine. This makes the hydrogen combustion engine stand out for its absence of harmful emissions.
FCEVs also have a long range on a single refuelling, with a 5-minute refuelling time similar to that of gasoline vehicles. Hydrogen is also one of the most efficient ways to store and transport renewable energy, and it plays a role in the future energy supply.
Drawbacks
The main drawback of FCEVs is the lack of infrastructure. As of 2024, about 54 hydrogen refuelling stations were available in California, with many out of service. The cost of refuelling is also potentially high, and hydrogen is more difficult to store and transport than gasoline or diesel fuel due to the small size of its molecules.
FCEVs are also more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines. This is partly due to the demand for platinum, which acts as a catalyst in electricity generation. Fuel cells are also expensive to replace, and there are safety concerns over hydrogen flammability.
FCEVs have the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and their associated emissions and localised air pollution. However, they face challenges in terms of cost, infrastructure, and safety concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
A hydrogen-powered car, also known as a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), is a vehicle that uses hydrogen to produce electricity and power its electric motor.
Hydrogen-powered cars use compressed hydrogen gas, which is fed into an onboard fuel cell stack. This fuel cell stack transforms the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical energy, powering the car's electric motor.
Hydrogen-powered cars produce electricity themselves, eliminating the need for large, heavy batteries. They also have a longer range on a single refuelling compared to battery-electric vehicles and can be refuelled quickly, making them suitable for long-distance travel. Additionally, hydrogen-powered cars have zero tailpipe emissions, only producing water vapour and heat as byproducts.
Hydrogen-powered cars currently have a higher capital cost burden and are more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries. The production and transportation of hydrogen require high energy inputs, and there is a significant investment needed to build the necessary refuelling infrastructure. Additionally, leaked hydrogen is highly flammable and has a stronger global warming effect than CO2.
