Hydrogen Cars: The Future Of Fossil Fuel Replacement?

Hydrogen has been hailed as the energy of the future, with the potential to power not just cars, but also homes, businesses, and even entire cities. As the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen is certainly a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, there are still several challenges to overcome before hydrogen cars can become a mainstream reality.

One major issue is the high cost of producing fuel cells, which can reach up to $1 million per vehicle due to the advanced technology involved. In addition, hydrogen refueling infrastructure is lacking, with major oil companies reluctant to invest in hydrogen tanks at existing gas stations due to safety, cost, and demand concerns.

Furthermore, while hydrogen is a clean fuel that only produces water vapour and heat as by-products, the current process of extracting it is not climate-friendly and can be energy-intensive. Nevertheless, with advancements in technology, hydrogen may yet become a viable option for powering our vehicles and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Hydrogen cars are currently too expensive for the average consumer

The high cost of hydrogen cars is largely due to the expensive hydrogen fuel. Since 2014, hydrogen in California has retailed for approximately $14 per kilogram, which is equivalent to $14 per gallon of gasoline. This makes the fuel cost of hydrogen cars two to three times higher per mile than that of conventional gasoline vehicles. The high cost of hydrogen fuel is due to the unique physical properties of hydrogen, which make it challenging and costly to produce, distribute, and store.

While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) offer zero emissions and quick refueling times, the high fuel cost remains a significant barrier for consumers. The total cost of ownership for a hydrogen fuel cell car is about 10% more than an EV and 40% higher than a comparable gasoline vehicle. This is despite the fact that EVs require additional infrastructure, such as a nationwide charging network, which hydrogen cars do not need to the same extent.

The cost of producing green hydrogen, which is made using renewable energy, is expected to decrease by up to 50% by 2030 as the technology matures and production scales up. This could make hydrogen cars more affordable in the future. However, as of now, the high cost of hydrogen cars and fuel puts them out of reach for many consumers, giving EVs a significant advantage in the market.

The future of transportation may include a combination of both electric and hydrogen vehicles, each catering to different needs and use cases. Hydrogen cars, with their quick refueling times, may be better suited for long-haul trucks and airplanes, while electric cars are more suitable for short to medium-range applications, especially in urban areas with access to charging stations.

Hydrogen is expensive to store

The final cost of hydrogen is influenced by a variety of factors, including the proximity of the end user to the production site. If hydrogen is produced on-site at a refueling location, transportation costs are eliminated. However, the production of hydrogen is currently very expensive. Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory in 2019 determined that hydrogen production costs account for just 15% of the final cost "at the dispenser" for hydrogen used in transportation. The remaining 85% of costs are attributed to the refueling station (50%) and distribution (35%).

The high cost of hydrogen refueling stations is due to the equipment needed, such as compressors and on-site storage. The cost of hydrogen delivery can be reduced by decreasing the distance between production locations and fuel stations, as well as increasing the amount of hydrogen that each truck can carry.

Additionally, the process of extracting and producing hydrogen is not currently climate-friendly and is very energy-intensive. In fact, 95% of hydrogen is currently generated from fossil fuel sources, and the production of hydrogen from coal and natural gas releases carbon dioxide.

However, it is important to note that the price of hydrogen fuel is expected to decrease as production scales up and new technologies are developed. Experts predict that the prices of hydrogen will drop dramatically in the coming years, and it will eventually be cost-competitive with traditional fuel sources.

Hydrogen refueling stations are lacking

Hydrogen cars have been touted as the future of the automotive industry, with their ability to provide clean energy and their similarity to the convenience of traditional fossil fuel-powered cars. However, one significant challenge to the widespread adoption of hydrogen cars is the lack of hydrogen refuelling stations.

As of 2024, there were only 54 retail hydrogen refuelling stations in the entire United States, with most of these concentrated in California. This limited infrastructure poses a major obstacle to consumers considering the switch to hydrogen cars. The availability of refuelling stations is crucial for consumers who want the convenience of being able to drive normally and have access to fuel wherever they go.

While mobile hydrogen fuellers, which store compressed or liquefied hydrogen on a trailer, are being developed to support the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure, the current lack of refuelling options remains a deterrent for potential hydrogen car buyers. The rollout of hydrogen cars is expected to go hand-in-hand with the development of more refuelling stations, as increased demand will improve the business case for building more stations and drive down station costs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Alternative Fuels Corridors grant program, established in 2022, aims to address this issue by strategically deploying hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in designated corridors across the country. Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes funding for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to accelerate the deployment of clean hydrogen production, storage, and distribution networks.

Despite these efforts, the current lack of hydrogen refuelling stations remains a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of hydrogen cars. The expansion of the hydrogen car market is closely tied to the development of the necessary refuelling infrastructure, and consumers may be hesitant to commit to a hydrogen car without a more extensive network of refuelling options.

Hydrogen is a dangerously explosive gas

Hydrogen gas is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded together, each containing one proton and one electron. This simple chemical structure is what makes hydrogen flammable and relatively easy to ignite. Ignition can occur at a volumetric ratio of hydrogen to air as low as 4%. Hydrogen has one of the lowest minimum ignition energies of all substances, at 0.02 mJ. It also has a higher oxygen requirement for explosion than fossil fuels. Hydrogen can be explosive with oxygen concentrations between 18 and 59 percent, while gasoline can be explosive at oxygen concentrations between 1 and 3 percent.

The storage and use of hydrogen pose unique challenges due to its ease of leaking, low-energy ignition, and wide range of combustible fuel-air mixtures. Hydrogen is 14 times lighter than air and 57 times lighter than gasoline vapour, so when released, it rises and disperses rapidly, reducing the risk of ignition at ground level. However, this also means that it collects under roofs and overhangs, where it poses an explosion hazard. Hydrogen is also odourless and colourless, so sensors are required to detect leaks.

Despite the dangers of hydrogen, it is argued that it is safer than conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel when handled responsibly. Hydrogen is not toxic, and when used as fuel, it produces only water vapour, whereas vehicle combustion of conventional fuels generates harmful air pollution. A hydrogen leak or spill will not contaminate the environment or threaten human or wildlife health, but fossil fuel leaks can pose significant health and ecological threats. Hydrogen also has a lower radiant heat than gasoline, so the risk of secondary fires is lower.

Safety standards for hydrogen have been developed over the past 40 years, and industry and government institutions continue to prioritize safety to ensure that hydrogen becomes part of a clean and thriving economy. Examples of safety protocols include remote hydrogen sensing to detect leaks, rigorous testing standards for hydrogen storage tanks, and unique fittings or markings on hydrogen lines to prevent accidents.

Hydrogen is not as energy-efficient as BEVs

Hydrogen cars are not as energy-efficient as BEVs. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are only about 22% energy efficient, with some sources claiming they are as low as 13% efficient. In comparison, BEVs are about 73% energy efficient, with some sources claiming they are as high as 80% efficient.

The inefficiency of FCVs is due to the many steps required to produce and utilise hydrogen as a fuel. First, electricity is used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, which is only 75% efficient. The hydrogen then needs to be compressed, chilled, and transported, which results in a further 10% loss. The hydrogen is then converted back into electricity in the vehicle's fuel cell, which is only 60% efficient. This means that before the vehicle is even driven, 62% of the energy has been lost.

In contrast, BEVs lose only about 20% of energy through the process of charging and discharging the battery and powering the motor. This is because BEVs store renewable electricity directly in a battery, which is then used to drive the vehicle. This direct use of electricity results in far fewer energy losses than the multi-step process required for FCVs.

The inefficiency of hydrogen fuel cells is further exacerbated by the fact that 95% of hydrogen is currently generated from fossil fuels. This means that the environmental benefits of FCVs are significantly reduced, as the production of hydrogen contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

While hydrogen may have its advantages, such as quicker refuelling times and longer ranges, its inefficiency compared to BEVs makes it a less attractive option for those seeking a greener and more sustainable future.

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