Hydrogen Fuel: Electric's Replacement Or Passing Fad?

The debate around the future of energy sources is heating up, with electric and hydrogen fuel emerging as two strong contenders. Electric vehicles (EVs) are currently the frontrunner in the automotive industry, offering zero-emission transportation and an established infrastructure. However, they face limitations such as lengthy charging times and environmental costs associated with battery manufacturing. Hydrogen fuel, specifically green hydrogen, has emerged as a promising alternative with zero carbon emissions and higher energy density than batteries. While hydrogen has advantages in refueling time and energy density, it faces challenges in terms of production costs and infrastructure availability. The future of energy may not be a question of one replacing the other but rather finding the right balance and utilizing their strengths in different applications.

Hydrogen cars are more expensive to buy and refuel than electric vehicles

Hydrogen cars are significantly more expensive to buy than electric vehicles. The two mainstream hydrogen cars on sale in the US, the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, start at around $50,000 and $60,000, respectively. By comparison, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more affordable, with a growing number of models costing less than $50,000.

The higher price of hydrogen cars is largely due to the cost of hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen fuel is priced much higher than gasoline, with prices historically set at about $20 per kilogram, the energy equivalent of a gallon of gas. Recently, however, prices have soared even higher, with retail stations in California charging as much as $36 per kilogram. This high fuel cost makes the total cost of ownership for a hydrogen fuel cell car about 10% more than an EV.

The refueling costs of hydrogen cars are also much higher than EVs. It costs around $6 to $10 to recharge an EV battery, while refueling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can cost anywhere from $75 to $125, depending on the tank size.

In addition to the higher costs of purchasing and refueling, hydrogen cars also face challenges due to a lack of infrastructure. There is a limited number of hydrogen refueling stations, with only 52 publicly available stations in the US, all but one of which is located in California. This lack of infrastructure makes hydrogen cars less convenient and accessible to consumers.

While hydrogen cars offer advantages in terms of refueling time and driving range, the higher costs and limited infrastructure make them less attractive to consumers. As a result, electric vehicles currently have a significant advantage over hydrogen cars in terms of affordability and convenience.

Hydrogen cars are quicker to refuel than electric vehicles

The refueling time of hydrogen cars is comparable to that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, significantly reducing vehicle downtime. This advantage of hydrogen cars over electric vehicles becomes more pronounced when considering the limited range of electric vehicles and the time required to recharge their batteries.

The quick refueling time of hydrogen cars is a significant advantage, especially when compared to the lengthy charging times of electric vehicles. This makes hydrogen cars more attractive to consumers who need to cover long distances or require quick refueling options.

However, it is important to note that hydrogen cars also have their drawbacks. One of the main challenges is the lack of infrastructure for refueling hydrogen cars. There are only a limited number of hydrogen refueling stations available, especially when compared to the widespread availability of electric charging stations. Additionally, hydrogen cars are generally more expensive than electric vehicles, and the refueling charges for hydrogen can vary significantly between different countries.

In conclusion, while hydrogen cars offer a clear advantage in terms of refueling time, the lack of infrastructure and higher costs are significant considerations that may impact their adoption. As such, it is unlikely that hydrogen cars will completely replace electric vehicles in the near future. Instead, both technologies may coexist and complement each other, catering to different use cases and consumer needs.

Hydrogen cars can travel further than electric vehicles

The longer range of hydrogen cars is due to the fact that they use a fuel cell and pressurised tanks of hydrogen gas. The fuel cell strips the electrons from the hydrogen molecules, making electricity to power the vehicle's electric motor. The excess electrons are stored in a small lithium-ion battery for use when an extra burst of energy is needed. The only "emission" from the tailpipe is water vapour.

The longer range of hydrogen cars, as well as their faster refuelling time, could be a major selling point for consumers looking to leave internal combustion engines behind. However, hydrogen-powered vehicles are not as clean or efficient as electric vehicles, and developing a reliable, affordable, and widespread fuelling infrastructure is a big problem.

Electric vehicles are more established than hydrogen cars

There are currently only two hydrogen fuel cell cars available in the US, the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo, both sold only in California. In comparison, there are about 57 battery-electric vehicle models on sale in the US, from almost two dozen brands.

While hydrogen cars can be refuelled more quickly and can travel farther, the lack of infrastructure to support them is a significant drawback. There are only 52 publicly available hydrogen refuelling stations in the US, all but one of which is in California. In contrast, the US has over 9,500 high-power DC fast-charging stations for electric vehicles, with Tesla's Supercharger network accounting for about 2,200 of those.

The cost of hydrogen fuel is also a factor, with the lifetime cost of ownership for a fuel cell car remaining high, largely due to the cost of hydrogen fuel. The total cost of ownership for hydrogen is around 40% higher than for a comparable gasoline vehicle and about 10% more than an electric vehicle.

While hydrogen cars have some advantages, such as faster refuelling and longer driving ranges, electric vehicles are more established and widely available. The existing electrical infrastructure and the lower cost of EVs make them a more attractive option for consumers.

Hydrogen cars are less safe than electric vehicles

The high-pressure hydrogen gas tanks used in hydrogen cars are also a cause for concern. These tanks store hydrogen gas under extremely high pressure, approximately 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi) or 700 bar. While the tanks are designed to withstand high-speed crashes without leaking or breaching, there is still a risk associated with storing such highly pressurised flammable gas.

Furthermore, the complex process of converting hydrogen gas into electricity to operate a hydrogen vehicle leads to greater inefficiency compared to electric vehicles. Electric cars are more energy-efficient, utilising around 80% of their total energy to power the vehicle. This makes them a more environmentally friendly option as they have a lower carbon footprint.

In terms of refueling infrastructure, electric vehicles have a clear advantage. Electric cars can be charged at thousands of powering/charging stations globally, making them more convenient and reliable for users. On the other hand, hydrogen vehicles have a limited number of refueling stations, with around 1000 stations available as of 2023.

The cost of refueling is also significantly higher for hydrogen cars. Refueling a hydrogen vehicle can cost between $75 and $125, depending on the fuel tank size. In contrast, recharging an electric vehicle typically costs around $6 to $10.

While hydrogen vehicles offer faster refueling times and longer driving ranges, the safety concerns, limited infrastructure, high refueling costs, and inefficiencies make them less safe and practical than electric vehicles.

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