Before you make your decision, here are a few things to know about electric and hydrogen cars. They are both energy efficient vehicles that do not contribute to global warming. Electric cars produce zero emissions from the tailpipe. Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen as the fuel, which is produced using renewable energy technologies. While hydrogen cars may require more energy to fuel, they have many advantages, including zero tailpipe emissions, lower noise and pollution, and less dependency on oil.
NREL’s fuel cell evaluations
NREL’s fuel cell evaluations are focused on the development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Its research involves analyzing real-world data and comparing it to DOE targets. Its current evaluations focus on fuel cell stack durability, vehicle range, driving behavior, fuel economy, maintenance, and safety. These evaluations are based on data collected from a DOE-sponsored demonstration project that involves six original equipment manufacturers.
NREL’s technology validation team is evaluating fuel cell electric buses for a variety of transportation applications. The goal is to provide unbiased and comprehensive evaluations of the technology for these vehicles. Transit buses are a high-profile sector of the transportation industry. Moreover, they are subsidized by the government. NREL’s evaluations help the transportation industry determine the state of fuel cell electric buses and identify lessons learned.
NREL’s fuel cell evaluations will push the boundaries of the fuel cell system to understand its performance and degradation over time. The lab also plans to evaluate the fuel cell generator’s compatibility with renewable energy systems. Currently, NREL is working on a megawatt-scale hydrogen project involving a fuel cell generator, a PEM electrolyzer, and a 600kg hydrogen storage system. The demonstration will demonstrate renewable hydrogen production, energy storage, and grid integration at a megawatt scale.
In addition to providing critical information about fuel cell performance, NREL’s research will help the commercialization of fuel cell technologies. The lab’s NFCTEC facility will improve data collection and analysis of fuel cell components and systems. The data will be compared to technical targets and will be made publicly available.
Cost
In the United States, the costs of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are expected to decrease over the next few years as the technology improves. Fuel cells produced by electrolysis are expected to have a 50% price drop by 2023, while hydrogen storage vessels will have a 100% price drop by 2028.
Electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are expensive to purchase and lease. The cost of a Honda FCX Clarity is over $6,500 per month. Toyota’s Mirai will be available for lease at $499 a month with a $3649 down payment. That is almost double the cost of a gas car, and the lease price is similar to that of a Tesla. However, fuel costs for a Toyota Mirai will be covered by the company for the first three years.
The cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is slightly more than for electric vehicles. Refuelling a hydrogen vehicle will cost around PS50 to $75 per tank. As hydrogen is newer, it may catch up to electric cars in the future. But the infrastructure required to accommodate this technology is still lacking.
Several companies are working to develop hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Daimler Trucks has developed a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, while Volvo Trucks is developing a hydrogen-based fuel cell electric vehicle. Although hydrogen is expensive to produce, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are increasingly useful for businesses and consumers.
The cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is expected to decrease over the next decade. Hydrogen fuel costs are currently below $4 per kilogram. The electric drive unit and battery pack will fall by about 23% between 2025 and 2030.
Range
The range of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles varies depending on the model and fuel. For example, a Tesla Model S can travel about 375 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. In comparison, a Nissan Leaf Acenta has a range of about 150 miles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are known for their longer ranges and faster refuelling times. Some models, like the Hyundai Nexo, can travel up to 414 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. However, hydrogen powered vehicles tend to be more expensive than electrified vehicles.
A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can drive an electric motor directly or recharge a small lithium-ion battery for later use. The battery can store energy and capture power from the regenerative braking system. It also captures excess power from the fuel cell stack during low-energy driving, enabling it to kick in for high-demand driving.
In addition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Hyundai has a number of fuel cell electric vehicles in the U.S., and is optimistic about the growth of hydrogen infrastructure in the Northeast. The Nexo, a model with a range of 380 miles, was recently introduced in the U.S. and is proving to be a popular choice. Since its launch, sales of fuel cell electric vehicles in the U. S. have increased by more than twice.
While FCEVs offer a number of benefits, they do have their limitations. The three main limitations of fuel cell stacks relate to hydrogen production, transportation, and storage.
Refueling times
Electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be refueled much faster than their conventional counterparts. Fueling hydrogen-powered vehicles requires a minimum of three minutes. Hydrogen refueling stations are increasing worldwide. By 2021, H2 Tools projects there will be over 492 hydrogen refueling stations globally.
There are two types of hydrogen refueling stations. One type uses a standard gas nozzle and the other utilizes a high-pressure hydrogen cylinder. The higher-pressure hydrogen cylinder delivers fuel at a higher pressure for longer driving distances. It is important to know the requirements for your vehicle to ensure that it will operate safely under the higher pressure.
The infrastructure needed for hydrogen refueling is growing rapidly in many cities. In the United States, hydrogen can be produced from a wide range of domestic resources and has zero to very low greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, states like Maryland have committed to renewable energy sources and have set a goal of reaching 50% renewable energy by 2030. As the hydrogen infrastructure improves, it will result in less emissions from electricity generated by hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Hydrogen fuel cells are lighter than their battery counterparts. This makes them better for long-range applications. They can also be recharged faster than battery-powered vehicles. They can be fully recharged in less than five minutes at hydrogen fueling stations. This is a major advantage for commercial fleets and other vehicles used almost continuously.
Fuel cell vehicles are more expensive than electric cars, but they have longer ranges. One downside is that hydrogen is more expensive to produce than electricity. Hydrogen is abundant on Earth, but refining it into an energy-rich form that can power a vehicle is costly and takes a lot of effort. The cost of hydrogen per tank will reflect that.
Safety
Electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have a number of advantages over conventional cars, but there are several risks associated with these vehicles. The use of hydrogen in fuel cells can cause explosions and fires. These fires are invisible and cannot be seen, so firefighters must be equipped with protective gear. The use of hydrogen in fuel cells is regulated by OSHA, which has several standards that must be met.
Fuel cell electric vehicles are extensively tested for safety. Unlike conventional vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles are equipped with standard safety features, such as carbon fiber-wrapped on-board fuel storage tanks. Moreover, they must meet DOT criteria for safe use before being certified. Many large warehouses use hydrogen fuel cell forklifts to move large quantities of goods.
While the cost of fuel cell electric vehicles is high at the moment, it should drop as the market grows and manufacturers build infrastructure for them. Fuel cell electric vehicles are a great way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and democratise the energy supply in our country and around the world. By reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we can protect ourselves from the rising costs of these precious resources. In addition, hydrogen is the most abundant resource in the universe, which is why it makes sense for companies to invest in hydrogen electric vehicles.
In addition to Toyota and Hyundai, other automakers are getting into the hydrogen fuel cell business. There are already two hydrogen fueling stations in California and several more in the works. Meanwhile, Ford and Nissan are also developing electric-drive cars using hydrogen gas.
