Pros & Cons of Hydrogen Cars

In the 1990s, the idea of a hydrogen fuel cell car was all the rage. Later, the rise of the hybrid-electric vehicle and the limitations of existing hydrogen cell technology shelved the idea, although it still remains popular in certain circles because of its potent advantages.

Identification

Pro: Non-Polluting

The electrochemical reaction of a hydrogen fuel cell produces only one thing as a waste product: water. It is, therefore, a zero-emission and totally non-polluting source of power.

Con: Fragility

Existing hydrogen fuel cell technology is not especially robust. Cars hit bumps, take sharp turns and vibrate as a part of their ordinary functioning. Hydrogen fuel cells cannot endure normal driving conditions for long before breaking down. They also operate poorly under freezing conditions.

Mixed: Energy Independence

Hydrogen is an element that is readily available, as it is widely present in the environment. The problem is that hydrogen is almost always present in nature in a compound and must be separated to be useful in a fuel cell. Current methods for separating hydrogen are actually consume more electricity than the fuel cell itself generates. Unless a better means for separating hydrogen can be developed, hydrogen fuel cells are less efficient than electric cars.

Pro: Better Power Output

One of the current limitations with electric cars is that their batteries are usually not powerful enough to compete with conventional cars. There are expensive and specially-built exceptions, such as the Tesla Roadster, but most electric cars cannot match the speed or endurance of the internal combustion engine. The hydrogen cell, despite its fragility, does produce enough electricity to match conventional cars.

Con: Cost

Hydrogen fuel cells require extremely expensive substances in their construction, such as platinum. Until a design using cheaper components is available, hydrogen fuel cells can compete neither with electric, hybrid-electric, or conventional cars in terms of cost.

Resources

• NOVA: Fuel Cells
• California Fuel Cell Partnership