How to Compare a Hydrogen Car to an Electric Car

Every driver interested in an alternative-fuel car needs to do extensive research on different vehicle types. You should look beyond the trend toward hybrid cars to find an alternative-fuel vehicle with a pure fuel source. You can compare a hydrogen car to an electric car by exploring a number of characteristics.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Approach your comparison of hydrogen and electric cars from the perspective of fueling during your daily commute. Most hydrogen fueling stations in the United States have been built in California, with a few scattered in other states. There are a growing number of electric stations on major highways from coast to coast.
2. Walk through the process of converting a hydrogen car and an electric car during your comparison. A hydrogen car utilizes many of the same elements as a traditional combustible car. You can look at electric conversion kits from LabShelf to determine the difficulty of building your own electric car (see Resources below).
3. Look at the use of electricity as you compare both cars before you make a selection. A hydrogen car that runs on fuel cells converts hydrogen into electricity to power the motor. An electric car runs on specialized batteries with currents controlled by a motor controller.
4. Expand your research into hydrogen and electric cars to vehicles with multiple fuel sources. The trend toward flex-fuel and dual-fuel engines by vehicle companies allows drivers to use alternative fuels with a gasoline combustion element.
5. Study the home fueling options for hydrogen and electric vehicles. Electric cars can be charged from an outlet with high-capacity cords in your garage. There are experimental hydrogen stations for your home, though most stations are offered for commercial operation by companies like the Linde Group (see Resources below).
6. Apply your daily mileage needs as you compare hydrogen and electric vehicles. Hydrogen vehicles can travel farther than traditional cars, though they rely heavily on scarce filling stations. Most electric cars can carry passengers during a daily commute but need to be charged frequently.
7. Analyze the future of hydrogen and electric cars as you look for an alternative-fuel vehicle. You need to look at proposed filling stations, new vehicle releases and commitments to additional funds by car companies as signs of security for a particular fuel source.

Tips & Warnings

• Review the size and resources of manufacturers as you compare a hydrogen car to an electric car. Most producers of hydrogen cars are larger vehicle companies with the resources to develop safe uses of hydrogen. The electric car market is led by individuals and start-ups due to the low costs of building an electric car.