Hydrogen Cars Vs Electric Cars: Which Is More Sustainable? High-pressure hydrogen gas stored in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle’s tank is used to power the vehicle’s fuel cell, which then combines with oxygen.
The electric motor is powered by electricity generated by an electrochemical reaction triggered by this mixture.
As a result, hydrogen-powered vehicles share features with electric (since they run on electricity) and gas-powered vehicles (because of the tank).
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However, FCVs (Fuel Cell Vehicles) or FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) represent a distinct segment of the transportation industry (Full Cell Electric Vehicles).
Hydrogen-powered vehicles rely primarily on fuel cells. Imagine them as the orchestra conductor inside the car that generates the power to propel it.
To keep a long explanation short, fuel cells convert hydrogen gas (combined with oxygen) into electricity. This power is then transferred to an electric motor that drives the car forward, eliminating the need for exhaust pipes.
Specifically, the only waste products are heat and water, which are created when hydrogen and oxygen atoms bond to form water molecules. In your opinion, it fits the bill well; I get that.
On the other hand, the electric motors in EVs are charged by the sun or by a portable source of electricity.
No chemical reaction occurs once they are in motion; simply an electric one, thanks to the energy stored in the batteries.
Which, though, is the greener and more long-lasting option? Hydrogen Cars Vs Electric Cars: Which Is More Sustainable?
Before jumping to conclusions, let’s examine the most salient features of each vehicle class.
Availability
Catalytic reformation of natural gas into hydrogen has been employed in industry for quite some time.
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology allows the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen, which can then be used for various non-industrial purposes, such as transportation.
Both hydrogen and battery-powered vehicles have a rising electricity demand, and these power plants, ideally located in renewable resources like solar and wind, should be built to meet this demand.
Replacement of existing thermal and nuclear power plants is only part of the energy revolution; if these green energy generating sources are also to be employed to manufacture hydrogen, then the difficulty will be satisfying rising demand.
The score in the battle between hydrogen and battery-powered cars is a draw.
Sustainability
Platinum and ruthenium are used in fuel cells, and cobalt and lithium are used in batteries. By-products of copper and nickel mining include platinum, ruthenium, and cobalt.
Large craters are left on the earth, and the environment is degraded due to this form of production.
There are three salt lakes in the Atacama desert of Chile that together represent a massive store of lithium. This area is known as the “lithium triangle” since it straddles the borders of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Mineral-rich groundwater (the brine) is piped into huge artificially formed basins for controlled evaporation in order to extract lithium. Brine extraction reduces groundwater levels, depleting nearby rivers and wetlands.
Agriculture and grazing areas are being destroyed, endangered birds are in danger, and the distinctive mangroves are significantly changing.
Degradation, loss of land, and a shortage of water have a negative impact on the local, primarily indigenous population. Vehicles powered by hydrogen: 1-0
Efficiency
The electric vehicle’s battery, which might weigh several hundred kilograms, is a major drawback. Whenever owners of electric vehicles drive a combination of short (city) and long routes, the range is decreased due to the added weight of the batteries.
Given the distances involved, it would be most efficient to use two different cars for short and long trips. Vehicles powered by hydrogen gas beat those powered by batteries, 2-0.
Recycling
Several recycling systems for electric vehicle batteries have reached the pilot stage.
It is possible to recycle car batteries by shredding them into little pieces and then treating them in acid baths; the oxides and salts extracted from this process can be incorporated into brand-new batteries.
The alloy made of cobalt and nickel can be recycled. Another issue with battery-powered vehicles is the reliability of the supply chain for replacing batteries in the event of an accident.
Much work must be done before spent automobile batteries can be recycled sustainably. The sustainable procedure to reclaim high-quality materials from a used fuel cell is also being developed, with the main issue being that the large mass of used fuel cells will only come in a few years. Vehicles powered by hydrogen gas beat those powered by batteries, 2-0.
Fuel
With the widespread installation of new renewable generation units like solar panels and windmills, users must adjust their energy consumption habits accordingly.
This is made possible by the adaptability of electrolysis-based hydrogen generation, as hydrogen will only be created when sufficient solar irradiation or wind is present. However, batteries require electricity that can’t be generated instantly, so they can’t benefit from the energy revolution.
The ability to charge many EVs at once poses a challenge to the electrical infrastructure as EV ownership rises.
Pricing “immediate” and “slow” charging differently will be the economical solution. The widespread implementation of smart grid technologies and the extensive expansion of the current grid infrastructure are technically viable but prohibitively expensive alternatives. Hydrogen Cars Vs Electric Cars: Which Is More Sustainable?: 3:0
