In the Battle of Hydrogen vs Battery Electric Cars, Who Will Win?
The 21st century has seen a rapid technological advancement in the automobile industry that none would have dared dream of a century ago. This growth has come with several consequences, with the most significant challenge being climate change. More and more people are turning to greener options, such as hydrogen cars and electric cars, as they become more eco-conscious.?
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen-powered cars provide an eco-friendly means of transport. EVs or electric cars are powered by a rechargeable battery that supplies current to the electric motors that drive the vehicle. Since the ride does not involve any chemical reactions, EVs do not emit toxic tailpipe gases that pollute the environment.
Hydrogen cars use gas or liquid hydrogen instead of a heavy-duty battery to power the vehicle. They, like EVs, have motors at the wheel that power them. Unlike gasoline-powered cars, hydrogen fuel cell technology doesn't rely on complicated internal combustion engines (ICE), making it a cleaner alternative.
Every technology has a niche or an application where it can perform best. There are situations where EVs perform better than hydrogen-powered cars and vice versa, so the future may be the best mix of EVs and hydrogen-fueled cars. Using the best option depending on the situation will ensure system efficiency, leading to climate efficiency.
Watch Video: Hydrogen vs Battery Electric Cars
How Do Electric Cars Work?
The key components of a battery EV are the electric motor, inverter, battery, battery charger, controller, and charging cable. EVs function by plugging into a charging point and taking electricity from the power grid. Electric cars store this electricity in rechargeable batteries that power the electric motor, turning the car wheels.
EVs operate like automatic cars and have a forward and reverse mode. Placing an EV in gear and pressing the accelerator pedal converts power from the DC battery to AC for the electric motor. The accelerator pedal then sends a signal to the controller, which adjusts the speed of the car.
The controller does this by changing the frequency of the AC power from the inverter to the motor. The motor then connects and turns the wheels through a cog. When decelerating or braking, the motor becomes the alternator and produces power which is sent back to the battery.
The Latest Electric Cars, 2021
Sales of EVs continue to grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and this trend is expected to continue as their costs fall. The latest models in the market include:
How Do Hydrogen Cars Work?
Hydrogen vehicles are powered by hydrogen fuel through a process where the chemical energy of hydrogen is converted to mechanical energy. This chemical reaction occurs in a specially developed fuel cell.
Since an electric motor powers hydrogen fuel cell cars, they are classified as e-cars. Fuel cell cars can also recover braking energy like other e-cars. The major difference between hydrogen-powered cars and other EVs is that hydrogen-fuel cell cars produce electricity themselves.
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen in the fuel cell through a process known as reverse electrolysis. One or more fuel tanks provide hydrogen, and the oxygen comes from the ambient air. The products of this reaction are electrical energy, heat, and water, which are emitted as water vapor.
The Latest Hydrogen Cars, 2021
Most states in the US lack the hydrogen infrastructure to support hydrogen fuel vehicles, but with many people turning to cleaner energy, this is set to change. Meanwhile, here are three fuel cell cars that are currently available on the market.
Electric Cars vs. Hydrogen Cars: Which is Better?
Driving Range
Hydrogen-powered vehicles efficiently pack their energy and can achieve higher driving ranges compared to battery EVs. Hydrogen cars can go up to 300 miles before refueling, while most fully electric vehicles can achieve only between 100 to 200 miles.
Winner: Hydrogen cars
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Available Refilling Stations
There were around 20,000 electric charging stations in the US by December 2018, and this number can only go up. This is a big number when compared to the number of hydrogen filling stations, which is less than 45. California is the only state with adequate hydrogen infrastructure, which is the major drawback of hydrogen cars.
Winner: Electric cars
Refilling Time
Hydrogen cars beat electric vehicles hands down when it comes to how fast they can be refilled. Pumping hydrogen into the car tank takes 5 to 10 minutes while recharging a battery electric vehicle can take up to 8 hours, depending on the charging station and the charging cable.
Winner: Hydrogen cars
Cost of Ownership
Electric vehicles are expensive but relatively cheaper when compared to fuel cell cars. The cost of the vehicle will depend on the driving range; the longer the driving range, the more expensive the car. Hydrogen cars are more costly than EVs, and refilling hydrogen is also more expensive than recharging a battery EV.
Winner: Battery electric cars
Emissions
While there is zero emission of gases from their exhausts, the manufacturing process of fuel cell cars and electric cars does result in CO2 emissions. Manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles is an energy-intensive process that releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Producing hydrogen fuel can have fewer emissions if it is produced by renewable energy.
Winner: Draw
Efficiency
Hydrogen cars are lighter than electric cars, which have very heavy batteries. Fuel cell cars are therefore more efficient as they can cover longer driving ranges when compared to battery-driven vehicles.
Winner: Hydrogen cars
Sustainability
Both the hydrogen fuel cell and the electric car batteries need rare minerals. Fuel cells use platinum or ruthenium, and batteries need cobalt or lithium. Mining these minerals degrades the environment, and mining lithium is more destructive.
Winner: Hydrogen cars
Recycling
There are several recycling technologies for used electric car batteries. The major challenge to this is the unreliable transport chain for batteries in case the car is damaged. Hydrogen vehicles are the most promising when it comes to recycling. A sustainable process to recover high-quality materials from old fuel cells is under development.
Winner: Hydrogen cars
The Verdict
Though the infrastructure to support hydrogen cars is in its infancy, fuel cell cars are the best option for ensuring zero emissions sustainably and efficiently.
Looking at the Future
Today, concerns about rising transportation emissions and a desire to mitigate this by using vehicle technology with minimal emissions have led to the uptake of hydrogen and battery electric vehicles.
Currently, electric vehicles are the more accessible option, which is unlikely to change in the next few years. As hydrogen cars become cheaper and governments build the infrastructure to support their sustainability, more people will enjoy the comfortable and efficient ride they offer.