Difference between Electric Vehicle (EV) and Hydrogen Driven Cars
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A dozen alternative fuels are under development for vehicles. The history of petrol and diesel as a fuel for vehicles began in 1858. The technology which uses these fossil-fuels is known as internal combustion. Think gasoline, diesel, kerosene or heavy fuel oil. Burning these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gasses like methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is causing the Earth’s atmosphere to warm, resulting in changes to the climate we are already starting to see today.
This encompasses the electric vehicles and hydrogen ignited vehicles. As both the technologies are robust ideas to the industries they differ in range, mileage, cost , safety and emission.
How does they Work ?
It’s crucial to comprehend how each technology functions before comparing electric and hydrogen cars.
Electric Vehicles
In an electric vehicle, a lithium-ion battery is used to deliver electricity to a motor, which moves the wheels and powers other parts of the vehicle instead of fuel burning to power an engine. An electric car is recharged by plugging into the electricity grid, just like a phone or computer, instead of going to a gas station when it runs out of power.
Cars Powered by Hydrogen
An HFCV (hydrogen fuel cell vehicle) runs on the same kind of electric motor as an ICE vehicle. Yet, it is propelled by a stack of fuel cells, wherein pure hydrogen (H2) travels through a membrane to mix with airborne oxygen (O2) to create the electricity that drives the wheels as well as water vapor. The fuel cell’s design is comparable to that of a battery. A catalyst that encourages the division of hydrogen atoms into an electron and a proton is in touch with the hydrogen as it enters the anode. The onboard batteries and the motors that turn the wheels are fed with the electrons collected by the conductive current collector, which is coupled to the high-voltage circuitry of the vehicle.
Even though a hydrogen automobile also has an electric motor, it operates differently. Inside a hydrogen-powered vehicle, an oxygen and hydrogen fuel cell react chemically to produce electricity and water vapor.
Compared to hydrogen, electric cars have a longer-term advantage.
Alternatives to fossil fuel-powered cars that are more environmentally friendly include electric and hydrogen-powered cars. The chemist John Bockris saw the possibilities of what he called the “hydrogen economy” as early as 1970. But how about right now? Why are some individuals so sure that long-term, hydrogen cars are the superior option?
Infrastructure and hydrogen’s price
A hydrogen-powered car has an average purchase price of 70,000 euros, although the cost of refueling varies greatly depending on the nation and state. No matter where you reside, though, hydrogen is expensive: in the US, according to Cleantechnica, it costs four times as much as an electric car.
According to Hydrogen Europe, the price of hydrogen fuel cells has decreased over the past five years by more than 80%.
Large-scale initiatives to introduce hydrogen electricity are being developed in Europe. According to a survey by Hydrogen Mobility Europe, in terms of infrastructure costs and logistics, “hydrogen infrastructure scales better than rival zero emission technologies.” In other words, once infrastructure is in place and hydrogen power is embraced by fleets, it will finally be available to the general public.
Refueling and driving range for hydrogen
The quick refueling and range of the hydrogen vehicle are further benefits. This explains why Renault stated in 2019 that it was adding the Kangoo Z.E. Hydrogen and Master Z.E. Hydrogen to its lineup of utility cars.
Stations for Recharging Electric Cars
The electric automobile is now enjoying the most support on a global level when compared to hydrogen-powered vehicles. Governments all across the world are making investments in the infrastructure needed to introduce electric technology widely. Electric charging stations are now commonplace in major cities like London and Paris, as well as at highway rest areas, in parking lots for retail establishments, and along roadways. Home charging stations are also becoming more prevalent, with some governments (such as the UK) providing assistance for their installation and purchase.
Charge times and prices for Electric Vehicles
The model, battery, and type of charging station utilized all affect how long it takes and how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle. Renault ZOE, for instance, may use a public charging station.
For instance, the Renault ZOE can recharge 80 kilometers of range at a public charging station in just 30 minutes, and on a fast charging station, the range can increase to 120 kilometers in the same amount of time. The price of charging an electric automobile varies greatly based on the battery capacity, the location, and the type of charging station. When charged at home, an electric car that uses 15 kWh on average per 100 kilometers in France costs 2.25 euros and little over 3 euros in the UK to travel 100 kilometers. In Germany, the cost to use both conventional and rapid charging stations is approximately 0.30 euros per kilowatt-hour.
High-power electric vehicle charging stations cost about ten euros extra and can cost up to 0.90 euros per kilowatt-hour on networks that are not partners.
Despite regional pricing differences, electricity is currently far more affordable than hydrogen power. It’s simple to see that, despite a greater initial cost for the automobile, an electric car is a wise long-term investment in terms of money if you consider that the cost is even lower if you recharge your electric car during off-peak grid periods.
Will hydrogen vehicles supplant electric ones?
Despite being one of the “cleanest” fuels and the element with the highest abundance on Earth, hydrogen power is still in its infancy. But that doesn’t mean that cars powered by hydrogen don’t have a future.It could be more intriguing to think of electric and hydrogen automobiles as components of a common environment rather than focusing on electric vs hydrogen vehicles. The creation of hydrogen has the potential to be far less energy-intensive than the production of lithium-ion batteries, which generate enormous amounts of CO2. Potential is the crucial word here. All green advancements are helpful for the environment because they make transportation less polluting than gasoline and diesel, including electric and hydrogen cars.
| Factors | Electric Vehicles | Hydrogen Fueled Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Electricity | Hydrogen |
| Cost | High | High |
| Range(average) | 210 miles | 300-400 miles |
| Safety | All-electric vehicles tend to have a lower center of gravity than conventional vehicles, making them more stable and less likely to roll over. | The two main hazards from fuel cell and hydrogen-powered vehicles are electrical shock and fuel flammability. |
| Fuel Efficiency | Estimated at 90% | Efficiency of between 25 to 35 percent |
| Cost of Maintenance | Low(comparatively) | High |
| Fuel Cost | Rs 250 but will take 6-8 hours. | ₹4 per km |
| Principle | Power is converted from the DC battery to AC for the electric motor | Powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell “stack” that doesn’t burn the gas, but instead transforms the fuel’s chemical energy into electrical energy. |
Is hybrid technology the answer for the present?
Electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles still require improvement. Hybrid
technology may offer an alternative solution as the industry strives to reduce the carbon footprint of the electric battery and hydrogen becomes more accessible, particularly in terms of charging stations. Again, Renault has anticipated this possibility and offers three models: the New Clio (HEV), New Captur (PHEV), and New Mégane in full hybrid (E-TECH, HEV) and full plug-in hybrid (E-Tech Plug-in) configurations (PHEV).