Hydrogen cars are a hot topic in the automotive industry, with some touting them as the ideal solution to our emissions problems and others raising questions about their practicality and affordability. With the ever-growing demand for more sustainable transportation, it is no wonder why hydrogen cars are gaining so much attention. In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential of hydrogen cars and discuss the pros and cons of this innovative technology.
How do Hydrogen Cars Work?
The way hydrogen cars are powered isn’t all that different from how an electric car is fueled. It uses hydrogen as its energy source rather than charging up and using the national grid as you might assume.
Hydrogen cars, or Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), are a type of vehicle that uses fuel cell technology to power an electric motor. Unlike battery electric vehicles, which use electricity stored in a battery, FCEVs use a fuel cell stack to produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The only byproduct of this process is water, making FCEVs an environmentally friendly alternative to petrol or diesel cars.
The UK has a hydrogen strategy that aims to develop a network of hydrogen refueling infrastructure to support the growth of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Currently, there are 11 hydrogen filling stations in the UK, but the plan is to have at least 65 stations by 2030. The goal is to produce 5GW of clean hydrogen, which will be used to power fuel cell vehicles and other applications.
What are the benefits of Hydrogen Cars?
Hydrogen cars are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. The benefits of hydrogen cars are numerous and make them an attractive option for many drivers.
Hydrogen-powered cars run on hydrogen fuel cells that produce electricity. This means that hydrogen cars are not only more efficient than gasoline-powered vehicles, but they also emit zero emissions. This makes these cars a great option for those looking to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the convenience of owning a car.
Other benefits of hydrogen vehicles include the fact that they are more cost-effective to maintain than gasoline-powered vehicles. Because they don’t require any gas, hydrogen cars don’t need to be frequently serviced or have their fuel tanks refilled. This can save drivers money in the long run.
Hybrid cars are also becoming more popular. Hybrids combine the benefits of both gas-powered and electric cars. The hydrogen fuel cells in hybrids offer an additional benefit as they can be used to provide an extended range of power. This can provide drivers with the power and range of a traditional gasoline vehicle with the environmental benefits of an electric car.
Hydrogen vehicles are also becoming more popular due to the fact that they are more efficient than traditional gasoline vehicles. The hydrogen fuel cells in hydrogen cars are more efficient at converting energy into motion, which means that they can travel farther and use less energy. This improved efficiency can lead to significant cost savings for consumers over the life of their vehicle.
Finally, hydrogen cars are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that they are much quieter than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. This is thanks to the fact that hydrogen cars run on a “battery-powered” system that produces very little noise. This makes them a great option for those seeking a quiet and peaceful driving experience.
What are some drawbacks of Hydrogen Electric Vehicles?
Despite the environmental benefits of hydrogen cars, there are still some drawbacks.
Recapping on the UK government’s UK Hydrogen Strategy, it is evident that the next several years will be spent moving forward. By 2030, the government wants to create 5 GW of pure hydrogen.
Although hydrogen is the cleanest fuel currently on the market and the most plentiful resource on earth, it is difficult to harness for use in automobiles since it is produced by natural gas, solar electricity, wind power, nuclear power, and biogas. It takes time to process it. To transform hydrogen gas into the electricity required to run an automobile, it must first be extracted, compressed, and combined with oxygen. That method is less effective than merely charging an EV to charge a battery.
The first and most obvious drawback of HEVs is their high cost. Although the cost of fuel is significantly less than traditional gasoline, the cost of the vehicle itself can be prohibitively expensive, especially when compared to a traditional gas-powered vehicle. Additionally, the infrastructure to support the use of HEVs is still in its infancy, meaning that finding a fuelling station can be difficult and expensive. Another drawback of HEVs is their limited range. Due to the nature of the fuel cells used to power these vehicles, their range is significantly lower than that of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. This means that drivers must be prepared to stop at a fuelling station much more frequently than with a traditional car.
Currently, there are limited hydrogen refueling stations available, making them hard to find and expensive to use.
Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells are still expensive and difficult to produce, meaning that the cost of hydrogen cars is far too high for most people. In addition to the cost, hydrogen cars have a limited range. Currently, the longest range of a hydrogen car is around 400 miles, while gasoline cars can go as far as 500 miles on one tank. This makes hydrogen cars less convenient for long trips.
BMW & Other Popular Hydrogen Vehicles
BMW has developed a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle called the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which is powered by a second-generation fuel cell stack and is expected to go on sale in the UK in 2022. Other car makers, such as Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda, have also been experimenting with hydrogen fuel cell technology and have released hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in some markets.
Although the iX5’s hydrogen engine is said to have a 313-mile range, there have been concerns expressed regarding its utilisation due to the lack of refueling outlets in Europe.
The carmaker is trying to be first to market with its hydrogen innovations by creating them before the market is even ready.
It anticipates that, soon after conventional EV charging hubs, a reliable hydrogen refueling infrastructure will be established.
In terms of hydrogen refueling stations, Japan is now in the lead with more than 160 and a goal of 1,000. According to BMW, if this were the case in Europe, the vehicle would be nearly interchangeable with a standard electric vehicle.
Some other types of hydrogen-powered cars include:
- Toyota Mirai: starting from £49,995
- Hyundai Nexo: starting from £69,495
- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell: estimated to be around £50,000-£60,000
- Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell: starting from £74,000
- BMW iX5 Hydrogen: estimated to be around £85,000-£90,000