Electric vehicles (EVs) and vehicles powered by hydrogen or fuel cells (FCEVs) are competing to become the “way of the future,” similar to how gasoline and diesel cars clashed in the early days.
As the world moves towards sustainable transportation, hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles are viable alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Governments around the world have been supporting consumers to transition from ICE vehicles to clean fuel vehicles by implementing supportive policies for buyers and users of green vehicles.
Although electric vehicles have a significant advantage and potentially represent the future, largely due to Tesla, we are still in the early days of the electric vehicle era, with nothing set in stone. Hydrogen-powered vehicles are seen as potential competitors to electric vehicles because they offer specific benefits and may even be more attractive than electric cars.
Like electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles (often referred to as fuel cell electric vehicles or FCEVs) do not emit harmful pollutants on the road and both use electric motors to provide power to the vehicles. However, unlike electric vehicles that require a relatively long charging time, hydrogen vehicles can be refueled quickly, similar to gasoline or diesel vehicles. The following are the similarities and differences between EVs and FCEVs.
What are electric vehicles and how do they work?
Essentially, electric vehicles are relatively simple machines. The main power source is stored as chemical energy in a battery, which is then converted back to electrical energy by the vehicle’s electrical system.
Modern electric cars typically use a lithium-ion battery pack located under the vehicle’s floor and they are responsible for delivering power to the wheels. Electric cars provide clean and emission-free energy into the atmosphere. This alternative fuel is better for the environment compared to traditional gasoline and diesel cars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles?
According to Car and Driver, some advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles are:
Advantages: Efficiency; Clean engines and lower maintenance.
Disadvantages: Limited battery life; Charging time and weak charging infrastructure.
What are hydrogen-powered vehicles and how do they work?
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are much more complex than electric vehicles. Hydrogen is pumped into the vehicle’s storage tank and stored at high pressure. As hydrogen has a much lower energy density than gasoline or diesel, it needs to be compressed to have enough gas for the vehicle.
Then, hydrogen is released into what is called a “fuel cell.” Here, the positive and negative terminals separate the hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons. The protons become water (the only emission on the road that a hydrogen-powered car creates), while the electrons supply energy via a small stored battery, before being transmitted to the motor that drives the wheels.
Hydrogen vehicles can be refueled within minutes at a dedicated hydrogen refueling station and can achieve long distances (643 km or more), comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen-powered vehicles?
Advantages of FCEVs: This technology works well; Fast refueling.
Disadvantages of FCEVs: Complex and expensive production; Prone to fire if not properly stored; Limited infrastructure.
How are EVs and FCEVs similar and different?
When comparing and contrasting these two types of clean fuel vehicles, we see some interesting things to consider. Currently, electric vehicles have the upper hand due to greater industry adoption, government support, and significantly larger infrastructure. The electric vehicle still has a long way to go, but hydrogen-powered vehicles have an even longer path to get closer to consumers.
One area where fuel cell electric vehicles have the upper hand compared to electric vehicles is refueling. While many electric vehicles can charge faster than ever, they still cannot refuel as quickly as gasoline-powered vehicles, similar to the time it takes to refuel a liquid hydrogen tank for FCEVs.
Both types of vehicles produce electricity and do not emit harmful exhaust gases, resulting in significantly better environmental protection.
TT (Tuoitrethudo)
Reference: Carwow, Motorbiscuit
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