Hydrogen cars, alongside BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), represent the future of sustainable motoring. Currently, the main barrier to their widespread adoption is the lack of sufficient hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Poland and other EU countries. This is expected to change with the EU and national plans to establish a network of refueling stations.
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are essentially electric vehicles. The electricity used to power the propulsion system is generated by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
Year after year, FCEVs are becoming a more visible alternative in the automotive segment. Their promising technology brings opportunities for achieving more environmentally friendly transportation, especially for long-distance and heavy-duty applications. Despite the many benefits hydrogen fuel cell cars bring, some challenges need to be overcome to enable their mass adoption.
How do hydrogen cars work?
Hydrogen cars use a long-known process called reverse electrolysis. Their key component is hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. The reaction is based on combining hydrogen ions at the anode with oxygen at the cathode. The result is the necessary energy, water, and heat.
This process does not generate CO2 emissions, making hydrogen fuel cell cars an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional combustion vehicles. Additionally, their range and refueling time are comparable to conventional cars, making them a practical option for consumers.
Examples of hydrogen cars available on the market
Although the hydrogen car market is still relatively small compared to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or combustion engine vehicles, more and more manufacturers are developing hydrogen-powered models. An example is the BMW iX5. Among the most popular models available on the market are the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. They provide user comfort and performance comparable to conventional vehicles.
Hydrogen cars – safety and benefits
Hydrogen as a fuel has certain properties that, contrary to appearances, can increase the safety of its use. It is about 14 times lighter than air, so in the event of a leak, it quickly dissipates into the open space, reducing the risk of ignition. It also has a high autoignition temperature (585°C), making it more difficult to initiate the combustion process without an additional catalyst. Furthermore, unlike gasoline, it poses no risk of puddling and ignition in the vehicle due to leakage.
In addition to environmental benefits and reducing the carbon footprint of transportation, the advantages of hydrogen cars are long driving range and fast refueling. The average range of FCEVs on a full tank is comparable to conventional combustion vehicles. For example, the Toyota Mirai model can be around 650 km. However, remember that the actual range of FCEVs will depend on driving conditions, driving style, and additional factors such as road conditions or vehicle load.
The second advantage is fast refueling. Hydrogen cars, unlike BEVs, can be refueled in about 5 minutes. This is a significant advantage on long-distance routes.
Barriers to the widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles
Despite promising prospects, hydrogen cars still face several significant challenges. Firstly, hydrogen refueling infrastructure is still limited in many regions, which can be a serious obstacle for consumers who fear a lack of access to fuel during their travels.
Another challenge is the cost of vehicles, as well as hydrogen production and storage, which currently remain higher than traditional energy sources. However, forecasts show that with the development of technology and renewable hydrogen production infrastructure, as well as planned financing of projects, gradual price reductions will be possible in the coming years, in line with EU goals for zero-emission transportation.
Green hydrogen as a key to decarbonization
It is the production of green hydrogen that is one of the key factors in popularizing FCEVs on our roads. Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy, has the potential to significantly reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
However, to increase the availability of this fuel, investments are needed in on-site production infrastructure or modern hydrogen hubs oriented toward transportation end uses.
Hydrogen cars have the potential to become significant players in the automotive market, offering a clean and efficient alternative to conventional combustion vehicles. However, to achieve mass adoption, it is necessary to overcome challenges related to refueling infrastructure and the costs of producing and storing the “fuel of the future”. Investments in green hydrogen production and hydrogen infrastructure development are crucial for achieving goals related to the decarbonization of the transport sector and environmental protection.
