Hydrogen fuel cells technically function, but their efficiency presents significant challenges. While hydrogen may be viable for aviation, space travel, or long-haul transport due to weight constraints, its practicality for everyday vehicles is questionable.
Firstly, consider production. Hydrocarbons produce 94% of hydrogen today but this efficient method results in major CO2 emissions. The production process creates 10 kilograms of CO2 emissions for producing 1 kilogram of hydrogen.
Alternatively, renewable electricity-based electrolysis provides a cleaner method to break water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This hydrogen production method uses substantially higher energy than what fuel cells can generate thus resulting in substantial energy wastage.
Secondly, storage presents a major challenge. Hydrogen, being the lightest element, requires high-pressure cylinders, liquefaction, or metallic hydrides for storage. These methods consume energy, further diminishing efficiency. Moreover, hydrogen leaks easily and poses explosion risks so electric vehicles present an attractive alternative.
Additionally, EVs can leverage existing grid infrastructure and are easily charged at home. Ultimately, hydrogen’s appeal rests on its fast refueling capabilities and potential for long-distance travel. However, these benefits are overshadowed by its inefficiency, storage challenges, and high production costs.
The higher operational expenses of hydrogen-powered vehicles compared to battery EVs will make both fleet operators and consumers less likely to adopt them. The time when hydrogen cars would become a mass alternative to fossil fuels appears to have passed.
Reference- Hydrogen Economy, Inside EVs, Green Congress, The Verge, IEA website