We see so many battery electric cars being purchased but very little of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. What are the reasons?
In: Technology
The thing about fuel cells is that they have more in common with BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) than they do with ICE (Internal Combustion Engines). You might think that hydrogen replaces gasoline, but it’s really much more like the battery.
In an ICE, the gasoline basically explodes, generating mechanical energy that is used to do things (i.e. move the car) and also provide electricity for the 12V battery and the electrical system.
In a BEV the battery stores electricity that powers the electric motor, which is used to move the car.
In a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the hydrogen isn’t burned like you might expect. It’s pushed through the fuel cells which basically react it in a way to make electricity, which is used to power an electric motor.
So between BEVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, you’re really just deciding between; how do you want to store your electricity? As hydrogen, or in a battery.
As other people have mentioned, hydrogen has some drawbacks (storage is difficult, it can explode, there’s very infrastructure). Electric has drawbacks too, but a huge factor for the end user is convenience; there’s electricity everywhere, and a lot of people can just charge at home.
Latest Answers