Why is the hydrogen car, often nicknamed the “Water Car,” not as popular as EVs?

Why is the hydrogen car, often nicknamed the “Water Car,” not as popular as EVs?

The hydrogen car, also known as the “Water Car,” has been capturing people’s attention for a long time as a green energy solution for the automotive industry. Unlike internal combustion engines (ICE), hydrogen doesn’t produce harmful emissions; the byproduct of its combustion is simply water vapor. However, do you know the processes involved in producing hydrogen?
Today, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of hydrogen cars.

Advantages of Hydrogen Cars Over EVs
  1. Faster Refueling Time:
    Hydrogen cars can be refueled in 3-5 minutes, much like gasoline vehicles. In contrast, EVs take 30 minutes to several hours to charge, depending on the charger type (AC or DC).
  2. Longer Driving Range:
    Hydrogen cars often offer ranges similar to traditional gas-powered cars. Depending on the tank size, they can match or exceed the range of many EVs, making them great for long trips.
  3. Lightweight Energy Storage:
    Hydrogen storage is lighter than the large batteries used in EVs, making hydrogen vehicles better for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses.
  4. Better Cold Weather Performance:
    Hydrogen fuel cells perform well in cold temperatures, while EV batteries can lose efficiency in freezing conditions.
  5. Eco-Friendly Emissions:
    Hydrogen cars emit only water vapor, making them very clean at the point of use.
  6. Less Reliance on Rare Earth Materials:
    Hydrogen cars use fewer rare materials like lithium or cobalt, which are essential for EV batteries.
Disadvantages of Hydrogen Cars Compared to EVs
  1. Limited Infrastructure:
    There are very few hydrogen refueling stations, and they are expensive to build, unlike EV charging stations, which are rapidly expanding.
  2. Lower Efficiency:
    Producing, storing, and using hydrogen involves significant energy losses (40-60% efficiency) compared to EVs, which are more efficient (80-90%).
  3. Higher Costs:
    Hydrogen cars and their fuel are more expensive than EVs. Producing “green hydrogen” using renewable energy is particularly costly.
  4. Complex Technology:
    Hydrogen cars rely on high-pressure tanks and fuel cells, which are more complex than EV battery systems.
  5. No Home Refueling:
    EVs can be charged at home, offering unmatched convenience. Hydrogen cars require specialized refueling stations.
  6. Safety Concerns:
    Hydrogen is highly flammable, and high-pressure storage adds to costs and safety concerns.
Comparison Table

Feature

Hydrogen Cars (FCEVs)

Electric Cars (BEVs)

Refueling/Charging

3-5 minutes

30 minutes to several hours (depends on charger type)

Range

500-700 km (varies by tank size)

300-500 km (varies by model)

Infrastructure

Limited refueling stations

Widespread and growing charging stations

Efficiency

40-60%

80-90%

Vehicle Cost

Higher

Lower (but varies by model)

Fuel Cost

High (hydrogen production)

Low (electricity cost)

Environmental Impact

Green if using renewable hydrogen

Depends on electricity source

Cold Weather

Performs well

Battery efficiency decreases

Convenience

No home refueling

Home charging available