Mobility of the future: electro or hydrogen cars?

One of the big questions of future mobility is, if it is better to use hydrogen or electric cars?

With the following thesis, we document pro and con arguments for both sides and give a outlook for the future development.

While both hydrogen fuel cell and electric battery vehicles have their own advantages and disadvantages, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have the potential to become a more viable option for the future of mobility due to their longer driving range and the potential for more widespread hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

Pros of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles:

• Longer driving range compared to current electric vehicles
• Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources, including renewable sources like wind and solar power
• Refueling time is similar to that of gasoline cars
• Emissions are limited to water vapor

Cons of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles:

• Currently more expensive than electric vehicles
• Limited hydrogen fueling infrastructure
• Hydrogen production and transportation can have environmental impacts

Pros of electric vehicles:

• Low operating costs
• Zero emissions at the tailpipe
• Improved battery technology has led to longer driving ranges
• Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly widely available and affordable

Cons of electric vehicles:

• Limited driving range compared to gasoline cars
• Recharge times can be longer than refueling times
• Dependence on electricity generated from non-renewable sources

Future outlook:

The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology is still in its nascent stage and has not yet reached its full potential. In the future, it is expected that the cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will decrease and that the hydrogen fueling infrastructure will improve. On the other hand, Electric vehicles are also rapidly advancing, with the cost of batteries decreasing, and the range and charging time of electric vehicles are expected to continue to improve. Both technologies have the potential to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, but the future will depend on the investments in R&D, the availability of resources and the political support. The future of mobility is not the question of which type of powertrain will win, but rather a healthy mix of clean engine systems.