The buzz about electric vehicles is inundating. Many automobile brands are adding it to their assembly lines or pledging a complete switch soon. While some people believe EVs are the next best thing since the internet, the advent of hydrogen vehicles has exposed many surprising lapses in electric cars. Read on to discover how hydrogen cars are better than their electric counterparts.

Faster Refueling

Drivers can refuel hydrogen cars at hydrogen refueling stations in a process similar to refueling gasoline cars. Refueling typically takes 3 to 5 minutes, comparable to traditional gasoline refueling. In contrast, EVs require charging, which can take significantly longer. Even with fast-charging centers, the time needed for a full charge is usually much longer than refueling a hydrogen car.

Longer Range

Unlike electric cars, hydrogen cars often offer higher driving ranges, allowing drivers to travel greater distances without refueling. Some models can cross 300 miles on a single hydrogen tank, providing a range comparable to electric automobiles. Such an extended range suits hydrogen cars for long-distance travel and addresses the need for frequent recharging.

Lighter Weight

Hydrogen fuel cells are lighter than battery packs used in EVs. This lighter buils improves vehicle efficiency and handling, reducing its overall weight and lowering its center of gravity. Additionally, the lighterness of hydrogen fuel cells helps offset the weight of hydrogen storage tanks. The result is a more balanced load distribution, leading to better handling and performance.

Zero Emissions

The emissions from hydrogen cars are water vapor and heat — the byproducts of the fuel cell’s chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Therefore, the vehicles are a zero-emission alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel automotives, which produce carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Hydrogen cars reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by emitting water vapor and combat climate change.

Varied Sources of Hydrogen

The sources of hydrogen fuel are many and varied. Examples include renewable energy providers like hydroelectric, solar, wind, and biomass. Hydrogen is also a product of electrolysis, which involves using electricity from renewable materials to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This versatility makes hydrogen a sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel option, as its sources do not produce greenhouse gas emissions or rely on finite fossil fuel reserves.

Unaffected by Temperature Variation

Hydrogen fuel cells provide constant power regardless of external conditions such as weather or temperature. Unlike batteries, which can experience reduced efficiency and delivery in extreme temperatures, hydrogen fuel cells operate consistently in various situations. As a result, hydrogen cars deliver optimally regardless of weather conditions. Drivers can rely on consistent output without worrying about fluctuations in battery performance due to temperature variations.

No Cell Degradation

While EV batteries experience degradation with each charging cycle, leading to reduced capacity and effectiveness over time, hydrogen fuel cells maintain their efficiency and delivery throughout their lifespan. They do not experience the same loss of range and performance over time commonly associated with electric automotive. Hence, hydrogen cars may have a longer lifespan and require less frequent maintenance.

Cheap and Easy Scaling

Scaling up hydrogen infrastructure is much easier than expanding electric charging sites, especially for heavy-duty vehicles and long-haul transportation. While each charging station requires significant investment and grid upgrades to support widespread adoption, hydrogen fuel stations can be deployed more quickly and at a larger scale. Such scalability makes hydrogen a promising solution for decarbonizing sectors like the freight market.

Less Resource Intensive

The fuel cells in hydrogen cars use fewer raw materials than electric vehicle batteries, reducing the environmental impact of mining and purifying these resources. While electric vehicle batteries rely on elements such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are finite resources with environmental and social implications, hydrogen fuel cells primarily use more abundant materials such as platinum and titanium. Consequently, hydrogen cars reduce the strain on global supply chains and mitigate the environmental impact of raw material extraction and processing.

High Energy Density

Hydrogen provides a higher energy density than batteries, and hydrogen cars can store more energy in a smaller volume. Hydrogen has an energy density of 33.3 kilowatt-hours per kilogram, whereas lithium-ion batteries have an energy density between 150 and 250 watt-hours per kilogram. Therefore, hydrogen suits the aviation and maritime industry, where room and weight are important factors.

Suitability for Heavy–Duty Applications

Because of its high power output, hydrogen fuel cell technology is more suitable for heavy-duty applications such as trucks, buses, and trains. Electric vehicles face challenges in these applications due to limitations in battery capacity, charging sites, and weight constraints. Hydrogen-powered vehicles offer a viable alternative for heavy-duty transportation, providing the range, performance, and refueling speed required for long-haul freight transport and public transit.

Infrastructure Compatibility

Existing gas stations can easily accommodate hydrogen dispensers, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure investment. This compatibility ensures a smoother transition to hydrogen-powered transportation and facilitates the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Also, hydrogen fueling stations can be located strategically along highways and other access roads to provide drivers with convenient access to refueling facilities.

Reduced Grid Strain

Using hydrogen cars can reduce the strain on the electrical grid by providing an alternative energy source for mobility, especially in regions with barely enough electricity supply. As electric vehicle adoption increases, the demand for electricity to power them also rises, putting strain on the electrical grid, particularly during peak charging times. Diversifying the energy sources used for transportation can alleviate this demand on the grid.

Minimal Impact on Cargo Space

Electric cars have larger battery packs and hence take up much cargo space. However, since hydrogen storage tanks can be integrated into the vehicle’s chassis or placed in the underbody, they do not occupy valuable space in the trunk or interior. Instead, they offer better cargo capacity than electric vehicles, making them suitable for transporting goods and passengers without sacrificing interior space or utility.

Global Availability of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a globally available resource that can be produced and distributed in various regions worldwide. On the other hand, lithium, cobalt, and other materials used in electric vehicle batteries may be available only in specific geographic locations. Furthermore, manufacturers can source hydrogen from several feedstocks and distribute it through existing infrastructure like pipelines and tankers. This way, hydrogen cars can be available in diverse markets.