The automotive industry is striving to introduce more environmentally friendly technologies. Car manufacturers all over the world are working on alternative technologies with a lesser carbon footprint. Even car buyers are now more conscious about their choices. No wonder electric cars are making waves due to their eco-friendly operation. Another more recent technology in this regard is the use of hydrogen fuel cells in cars – an innovative and alternative car fuel being hailed as the face of future car technology.
Let’s find out how hydrogen fuel cells work and what are the pros and cons associated with this technology.
Fuel Cells Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) Vs Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
While electric cars bring Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs to mind, hydrogen fuel cells cars also run on electric motors and are thus considered EVs. However, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) differ from other electric vehicles in generating their own electricity. Meanwhile, other electric cars get their power from built-in batteries charged from an external source. Hydrogen cars carry their power plant onboard – the hydrogen fuel cells.
The working of hydrogen fuels in a car
Fuel cell technology works on the principle of reverse electrolysis. In this chemical process, hydrogen from the FCEV tanks reacts with oxygen from the ambient air to produce electric energy, heat and water.
The electricity generated via this process is used to power the FCEV while the heat and water are emitted through the exhaust as steam. This makes hydrogen fuel cell technology clean energy.
The electricity either goes directly to the motor engine or it charges the battery that stores the energy for later use. Fuel cell car battery is small and lightweight. It is called a Peak Power Battery and is recharged constantly.
Furthermore, hydrogen-powered cars recuperate or recover the braking energy. The electric engine of hydrogen cars converts this kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the backup battery.
The pros and cons of hydrogen fuel cells in car
In addition to being extremely environmentally friendly and with zero emissions, FCEVs also offer various benefits to the users. However, there are a few cons of this synthetic fuel cell as well. The pros and cons of hydrogen fuel cell technology are discussed below in detail:
Pros
- The hydrogen cars offer electrical propulsion akin to electric cars. This means a lively start and no engine noise at all, making it one of the best fuels for your car.
- Fully electric cars take between 30 minutes and several hours to charge fully. This time depends on the battery capacity and the charging station. However, tanks in hydrogen cars are full in under five minutes and offer flexibility and availability to the users of a conventional car.
- Cars powered by hydrogen fuel have impressive mileage. On a full tank, they will last around 480 kilometres.
- The fuel cell vehicle range does not deteriorate in lesser temperatures.
Cons
- For now, the biggest disadvantage of hydrogen powered cars is the lack of suitable refuelling options. The hydrogen engine needs special fuel pumps for refuelling. There are only a few of these stations built as of now. However, hopefully, these stations will find their way in the ordinary service stations all over the world.
- Another notable shortcoming of a hydrogen engine is the tremendous loss of energy during electrolysis. The overall efficiency of fuel cell electric vehicles is only half of a BEV.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology in the UAE
The Emirates, with its solar energy and clean energy sources, is an advocate of an environmentally friendly future. The first hydrogen fuel station in Dubai, a joint venture between Al-Futtaim Toyota and Air Liquide, was established in 2017. Later, the Emirates Authority For Standardization & Metrology (ESMA) completed the technical regulation on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, making the UAE the first country to have future legislation on this technology.
Currently, you can witness a few Toyota Mirai that run on hydrogen fuel cells on the roads of the UAE. The Dubai hydrogen fuel station is located in Toyota’s Al Badia showroom in Dubai Festival City. The second hydrogen station is likely to open in Abu Dhabi. Hydrogen Power Abu Dhabi Is a joint venture of Masdar and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
The challenges to Hydrogen Fuel cell technology
Despite being an extremely eco-friendly alternative to traditional cars, this future technology faces a few challenges. The main hurdle in making hydrogen vehicles mainstream is the cost. Currently, even the mid-range specs FCEVs available in the market cost around 300,000 AED, which is double the price of an electric or hybrid car. Moreover, there is a serious dearth of hydrogen stations and infrastructure all over the world.
Another challenge that must be addressed before hydrogen technology becomes common in any country is the presence of eco-friendly, renewable sources of energy. For hydrogen energy to be as clean as it is portrayed, the fuel cells must get the initial energy from natural renewable sources. Otherwise, there will not be much difference between other EVs and FCEVs, at least in terms of carbon footprint.
FAQs
How long will a hydrogen fuel cell last?
The fuel cell stacks are created to last the lifetime of the vehicle. This is around 250,000 km. At the end of its lifespan, the fuel cell is dismantled and the materials are recycled. The same happens with the vehicle components in general.
Is hydrogen fuel safe for cars?
Hydrogen behaves differently from gasoline, but generally, it is as safe as the gasoline we use in most vehicles’ tanks. Moreover, unlike gasoline’s heavier than air vapours, hydrogen vapours don’t pool on the ground. Therefore, hydrogen is not a fire or explosive danger.
Do hydrogen fuel cells wear out?
A fuel cell produces electricity through an electrochemical reaction like a battery. Unlike batteries, fuel cells do not fade and provide electricity continuously as long as there is a constant source of oxygen and fuel.
This wraps the guide on hydrogen fuel cells in cars. In addition to hydrogen fuel cells, electric vehicles and hybrid cars are here to decrease the overall emissions from the automotive industry. However, if you want to buy a regular car, check out this collection of used cars for sale.
If you are looking for more information on environmental practices in the automobile industry, stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog.
Related Posts
