Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)
FCEVs uses hydrogen as fuel to power the electric motor.
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How it works9 :
- In a FCEV electricity is generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell
- A typical fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode and oxygen through the cathode. Catalysts split the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons
- The electricity produced charges a small storage battery to power the vehicle
- The pressurised hydrogen and air is passed through a fuel cell creating a flow of electrons to continually charge the battery with the only emission being water vapour and warm air.
Features:
- FCEV technology offers a similar user experience to current traditional combustion engines, including the driving experience, driving range, and refuelling time.
- FCEVs produce electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen, rather than drawing electricity from only a battery.10
Typical use case:
Light to heavy-duty vehicles, plant equipment and trains.
Implications for operations:
- Infrastructure for hydrogen fuel is still in the early stages of development. Consideration for power upgrades and space required for refuelling infrastructure compared with traditional fossil fuel bowsers and fuel storage.
- The higher energy density of compressed hydrogen also presents opportunities for lower tare weight compared to BEVs.
- On the other hand, hydrogen FCEVs face multiple challenges, such as lower powertrain efficiency, higher costs, hydrogen refuelling, and storage constraints.
- Production, compression, and transport of hydrogen gas, as well as the operation of the fuel cell, are all energy-intensive processes, compared to charging and operation a battery-electric powertrain.
9CSIRO, https://blog.csiro.au/hydrogen-powered-cars/
10US Department of Energy, How Do Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Work Using Hydrogen?, Alternative Fuels Data Center: How Do Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Work Using Hydrogen? (energy.gov)