Katerina Swanson
Filling up a fuel cell car is not very different from fuelling a regular car. However, there are not many places where you can pump hydrogen into a car. Unless you live in Southern California, New York, or Washington, D.C., you probably don't have a hydrogen fuelling station near you. The process of fuelling a fuel cell car involves attaching a hydrogen nozzle to the vehicle's fuel receptacle and sealing it with a twist-grip lever. Hydrogen then begins to flow into the vehicle automatically. This process is relatively simple and dirt-free, although it can take up to 30 minutes to fill a tank.
Where do you fill up a fuel cell car in CT?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen Refuelling Stations | Currently only available in Southern California, New York, and Washington, D.C. |
| Hydrogen Nozzle | About the size of a fire hose |
| Filling Process | Requires connecting a communicator, an extra step compared to gas or diesel |
| Time | Approximately 30 seconds longer than a regular car refuel |
| Improvements | Stations are adopting hydrogen-hose assemblies with integrated communicator devices, reducing the time and complexity |
| Dirt | Relatively dirt-free process |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles can be refuelled at hydrogen refueling stations
- Chevrolet has dedicated 100 Equinox fuel-cell vehicles to its Project Driveway market test
- GM offers Project Driveway participants access to its 10,000-psi hydrogen facility in Burbank
- The upcoming hydrogen stations will reduce refuelling time from 30 minutes to four minutes
- Electric vehicle drivers can charge their cars at home, at work, or at public charging stations
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles can be refuelled at hydrogen refueling stations
The process of refuelling a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle is very similar to that of a traditional car. The hydrogen nozzle, which is about the size of a fire hose, is attached to the vehicle's fuel receptacle. A twist-grip lever on the hose seals the connection, and hydrogen begins to flow automatically. This process only takes about 30 seconds longer than refuelling a traditional car and is relatively dirt-free.
In addition, the hydrogen-refuelling process is becoming even more streamlined as stations adopt hydrogen hose assemblies with integrated communicator devices that are infrared, not hard-wired. This eliminates the need for an extra step in the refuelling process, making it even more convenient for drivers.
While hydrogen gas is the most abundant element in the universe, it is not widely available as a vehicle fuel. However, this may change in the future as hydrogen can be captured and packaged on-site at the station, extracted from the station's water supply. This eliminates the need for shipping or trucking, which could make it a more viable option for refuelling stations.
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Chevrolet has dedicated 100 Equinox fuel-cell vehicles to its Project Driveway market test
As part of its Project Driveway market test, Chevrolet has dedicated 100 Equinox fuel-cell vehicles to ordinary drivers for extended loans. The aim is to put the Equinox fuel-cell SUVs in the hands of real consumers to help move along General Motors' development of the technology and eventually introduce fuel-cell vehicles to the widespread market. The vehicles are being loaned to volunteers, ranging from celebrities to regular families, for three months. During this time, they will record their experiences and provide feedback to GM.
The Equinox fuel cell offers strong, smooth acceleration, easy handling, and a natural brake pedal feel. The SUV's electric motor drives the front wheels, and it has 236 pounds-feet of torque ready whenever you touch the gas pedal. The fuel cell system's power-flow diagram can be viewed on the SUV's navigation screen, providing a graphical representation of how the parts of the fuel-cell powertrain are operating at a given moment.
The Equinox fuel cell vehicles have a range of about 170 miles before a 5-7 minute refill is necessary. However, the lack of hydrogen refueling stations, even in California, has been a major challenge for the mainstream adoption of fuel-cell vehicles. Chevrolet and GM plan to use the knowledge gained from Project Driveway to further the development of their fuel-cell technology and address the challenges of commercialisation, such as cost and developing a refueling infrastructure.
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GM offers Project Driveway participants access to its 10,000-psi hydrogen facility in Burbank
In 2007, General Motors launched Project Driveway, a technical and marketing research effort. As part of the project, consumers in Los Angeles, Orange County, California, New York, and Washington, D.C., can sign up to test drive a Chevy Equinox FC for 2 to 3 months. Participants are expected to be enthusiastic about the product and provide feedback to engineers to help improve it. They also interact with one another online and at specific events and engage with engineers on the Gongos message board.
Project Driveway is the first large-scale consumer test for hydrogen fuel cell cars, with real drivers operating the vehicles under real-world conditions. As part of the program, GM offers participants access to its 10,000-psi hydrogen facility in Burbank, California. This facility can fill the Equinox's tank completely, although the process can take up to 30 minutes.
The Burbank facility is one of only a handful of hydrogen refueling stations currently available in Southern California. Another station in West L.A. is a 5000-psi facility, which can fill about two-thirds of the Equinox's 10,000-psi tanks in around 10 minutes.
The equipment required to extract hydrogen from water or natural gas is costly for station owners, ranging from $500,000 to $5,000,000 per installation. Despite hydrogen being the most abundant element in the universe, there are relatively few places to refuel hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
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The upcoming hydrogen stations will reduce refuelling time from 30 minutes to four minutes
The demand for hydrogen refuelling stations is increasing globally, with 142 new stations being set up worldwide in 2021 alone. Hydrogen refuelling stations consist of hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen gas compressors, a pre-cooling system, and a hydrogen dispenser. The hydrogen is cooled to subzero temperatures to ensure safe and efficient filling. The high-pressure gas is then stored and dispensed via a nozzle controlled by a smart valve that regulates the flow rate to fill the vehicle to the required pressure.
To address this problem, newer stations in Los Angeles have started installing four dispensers at a single location, increasing their storage capacity and reducing waiting times. Additionally, the average refuelling time for a hydrogen car is three minutes, and seven minutes for a bus, so having multiple dispensers at a station can significantly improve efficiency.
The development of hydrogen refuelling stations and the optimisation of refuelling processes are crucial steps towards a decarbonised transportation system. By increasing the number of dispensers at each station and improving station infrastructure, the refuelling time for fuel cell cars can be significantly reduced, making hydrogen-powered vehicles a more viable alternative to traditional gas-powered cars.
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Electric vehicle drivers can charge their cars at home, at work, or at public charging stations
However, not everyone has access to at-home charging. This includes those who rent apartments or live in condos, as well as those in older homes that may require costly electrical system upgrades. In such cases, workplace charging can be a convenient alternative. Many employers are increasingly providing charging stations for their employees, and resources are available to help organisations implement such initiatives. For instance, the DOE's Plug-In Electric Vehicle Outreach Resources for Your Employees offers tips for educating employees on taking advantage of workplace charging. Additionally, some employers may require employees to register their EVs, sign a parking liability form, or agree to a charging station sharing policy to ensure fair usage.
Public charging stations are another option for electric vehicle drivers. While DC Fast Charging stations are not available for home use, they can be found in public spaces. Most fully electric cars are equipped for DC Fast Charging, but it is important to be aware of the car's charging connector. Common connectors include the Tesla connector, SAE Combo connector, CHAdeMO connector, and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, which was initially exclusive to Tesla but is now compatible with a wide range of EVs. Mobile apps like PlugShare, ChargePoint, and Open Charge Map can help EV drivers locate public charging stations and determine their availability.
Overall, electric vehicle drivers have several options for charging their cars, including at-home charging, workplace charging, and public charging stations. Each option offers different advantages and considerations, depending on the driver's circumstances and vehicle specifications.
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Frequently asked questions
Filling up a fuel cell car is not that different from filling up a gas car. You can fill it up at a hydrogen fueling station.
Hydrogen fueling stations are currently available in Southern California, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The hydrogen nozzle can be attached to the vehicle's fuel receptacle. After sealing it with a twist-grip lever, hydrogen begins to flow in automatically.
The refueling process can take up to 30 minutes for a full tank. However, upcoming stations should be able to provide a 4.2-kg fill in four minutes.
Yes, electric vehicle drivers can fill up their cars at home, providing an unlimited supply of fuel available at their convenience.
