Most car companies are shifting to Electric and some of them have already their hands in it, but few of them are testing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars. The hydrogen cars are some as EVs in terms of emission, i.e, zero-emission. Also, has extended range and less refueling time. So why are they flop and no one is talking of these. Stay with us till the end to find out.
The world's first hydrogen vehicle was from GM Heritage Centre. According to GM’s Heritage Center, fuel cells have been around since the early 1800s, but this was the first fuel cell on wheels. The vehicle topped out at 70 mph and had a range of about 150 miles. Safety concerns limited its trips to company property.
A lot of technology was crammed into a relatively small space. The vehicle’s motor and control system were mounted between and under the two front seats. Thirty-two fuel cell modules connected with 550 feet of plastic piping fit under the floor. Cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen tanks and an electrolyte reservoir were mounted behind the middle bench seat.
As of 2019, there are three models of hydrogen cars publicly available in select markets: the Toyota Mirai which is the world's first mass-produced dedicated fuel cell electric vehicle, the Hyundai Nexo, and the Honda Clarity. A few other companies, like BMW, are still exploring hydrogen cars, while e.g. VW has expressed that the technology has no future in the automotive space, mainly because a fuel cell electric vehicle consumes about three times more energy than a battery-electric car for each mile driven.
So, how do Hydrogen Cars work?
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel for motive power. Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen gas to power an electric motor. Unlike conventional vehicles which run on gasoline or diesel, fuel cell cars and trucks combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which runs a motor. Since they’re powered entirely by electricity, fuel cell vehicles are considered electric vehicles (“EVs”)—but unlike other EVs, their range and refueling processes are comparable to conventional cars and trucks.
The refueling time of hydrogen-powered cars is the same as the conventional gasoline car, unlike electric cars which can take up to hours for one complete charge.
So why are they not the future?
The reason why they lost track depends on five factors:-
- Price
- Convenience
- Performance
- The Environment
- Competition
Price:-
The average price of a Hydrogen Car is around $50,000 and you can get a Toyota Mirai at this price range. It's quite affordable but why it is not good enough?
Hydrogen fuel station
As the refueling time is the same as the gasoline car but the cost of hydrogen per kg is way too high. It costs $16.54/kg. Each car can hold up to 6kgs and can go up to 400 miles with one full tank, but to complete fuel up the tank it will cost around $80, which is not that affordable. At the same time, the gasoline cars will cost only $32 for 11 gallons.
Also, there are only 45 hydrogen gas stations in the US and 337 all over the world. Also, the cost of building a refueling station is around $2 million, which is way more when compared to gasoline ($ 300,000) or electric ($50,000) station.
But companies like Toyota provides some incentives in regards to the fuel, i.e, $15,000 is provided when a car is purchased and this $15k has to be spent on fuel within the first 3 years.
Convenience:-
With the limited number of the station around the globe, customers are forced to locate around these in order to be fueled up every time.
Hydrogen fuel station in the US
The map above is of the US, in which the stations are limited to some states only. Due to this, being a hydrogen car owner isn't easy, you have to move near these states and work within these states only.
Performance:-
Hydrogen Cars and Performance is not the thing that goes hand-in-hand. The 2021 Toyota Miara goes 0-60 mph in 9.1 secs and has a top speed of 106 mph which is quite low when compared to Tesla Model 3 which can go 0-60 mph in 3.1 secs. So is there any "HYDROGEN CAR" with has specs, YES the Hyperion XP1.
The Hyperion XP1 has a mindblowing range of 1000 miles and can go from 0-60 mph in 2.2 secs. Unfortunately, this isn't currently ready to buy but it shows that how much hydrogen is capable of generating power.
The Environment:-
Gas cars are famous for their pollutants. Most of them are CO2 and CO which are harmful enough. This is the reason why almost all companies are now switching to Electric. Meanwhile, hydrogen cars claim to have zero-emission similar to the EVs, but instead of pollutants, these cars spit water out of the exhaust.
So, how does water come out of these cars? From where it is being produced?
The GIF shows the working of a fuel cell
Working of a fuel cell:-
The compressed hydrogen runs through the positive terminal into the fuel cell and the oxygen from the air runs through the second pipe into the negative terminal. When the hydrogen comes in contact with the catalyst (usually made up of platinum) it splits up into proton and electron. The proton then flows towards the negative terminal onto the right side. The free-electron then flows through the outer circuit into the motor which enables it to drive the vehicle. Then these electrons arrive at the negative terminal and react with protons and oxygen eventually making H2O, which is nothing but water.
This is the water which comes out of the exhaust, you can drink that if you want but I wouldn't 😂😂
So, what makes it less environmentally efficient although it just spits water? The reason is the making of hydrogen. To make hydrogen, water is treated with electrolysis in which hydrogen and oxygen molecules are separated for which a huge amount of electricity is required. And this electricity is supplied by burning a lot of fossil fuel which indirectly makes hydrogen a clear villain for the environment.
Competition:-
To outstand the market where Tesla, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia is already ruling it is a bit difficult for Hydrogen fuel cell cars to make their mark.
Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell:-
Currently, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars are the dumbest idea but who knows this might be the one saving automotive industries.
Nonetheless, hydrogen fuel cells are not only used in cars but also in Amazon warehouse's forklift, NASA's rocket, Falcon 9, hydrogen-powered cities, and much more.
Have any doubts, then do ask me in the comments 😃. Also, write which topic you want next 🙌!!!
-by Amaan Attar
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