The hydrogen cars they are vehicles that are considered zero emissions. They work through a fuel cell, in which hydrogen is oxidized to generate electricity for conduction. Only water vapor is released during this process. Depending on the model, one or more electric motors are responsible for the movement of the car. It will be connected by battery and fuel cell. This part will be completed with a storage tank that stores hydrogen.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about hydrogen cars and their characteristics.
Characteristics of hydrogen cars
Once the driver starts the car, the first thing the car needs to do is fill the fuel cell with hydrogen. There, it mixes with oxygen extracted, filtered and compressed from the outside by the compressor. With this alliance, electricity and water will be produced.
The important thing is that the energy is transferred to the battery for storage. It does not go directly to the engine. The process is done in this way to ensure that there is always power when the driver needs it and that there are no uncomfortable tics.
So far, the operation of vehicles with these characteristics will gain more and more followers in the near future. According to estimates from the Spanish Hydrogen Energy Association (AeH2), the industry anticipates that 140.000 hydrogen vehicles will be in circulation in Spain within 11 years.
Advantages of hydrogen cars
It does not pollute
As we explained before, hydrogen cars only release water vapor. This type of vehicle, called a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), resembles an electric vehicle in many ways. By not discharging harmful substances, you will help protect the environment and reduce serious pollution caused by traditional transportation.
Fast refueling
It only takes 3-5 minutes to refuel a car with hydrogen, which is similar to the time required for gasoline or diesel. In this sense, electric vehicles degrade because they require at least 30 minutes to refuel. Similarly, according to AeH2 data, the average cost of refueling a hydrogen vehicle is 8,5 euros per 100 kilometers, which is similar to the cost of a driver of a diesel or gasoline vehicle.
You meet the EU emission reduction targets
If you own a hydrogen car, you will wait (and adapt) to the EU emissions reduction target for 2030. For that year, pollutant emissions from new cars should be 35% less than in 2021.
Minimal maintenance
Compared to vehicles that use internal combustion engines, these cars have minimal engine maintenance and are much easier. Hydrogen is clean in manufacture and use. For this reason, they have become true substitutes promoted by the most advanced countries in the world. For example, it is no coincidence that Germany has allocated 140 million euros each year to the development of this energy.
They are not noisy
Hydrogen cars are as quiet and pollution-free as traditional electric cars. But they surpassed them in another very important aspect: the autonomy. ANDThe latter can travel an average of 300 kilometers on a single charge, while hydrogen can travel more than twice that.
You can park without paying
Since they are considered clean cars, hydrogen-powered cars are also labeled as 'zero emissions' by the DGT, just like electric cars. This brings the same benefits that his "brothers" enjoy (especially in certain cities). Among them, they have no restrictions on driving, they can park in the SER zone without paying, and they can move even when the pollution prevention agreements established in the main cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are activated at a certain time.
They endure extreme temperatures
Another advantage of this type of vehicle is that, unlike 100% electric vehicles, they can better withstand extreme temperatures. The performance of the car has hardly changed and its range has not changed significantly, just like an electric car.
Disadvantages of hydrogen cars
Higher purchase price
People who make hydrogen-powered cars have worked hard to lower prices, but they are still higher than electric cars. Of course, this depends on each manufacturer and each model. Even so, the brands that have already begun to bet on this option assure that hydrogen-powered cars will be more affordable in a few years. Currently, it is a pending account. The characteristics of the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank that They must withstand very high pressures are the main reasons for their high manufacturing cost.
Few places to refuel
So far, the network of hydrogen refueling stations is really absurd. In Spain, "hydroelectric generators" (commonly known) can be counted by hand. According to the National Hydrogen Energy Center, only six are currently available. They are located in Seville, Puertollano, Albacete, Zaragoza, Huesca and Barbastro. Other countries have begun to bet decisively on this alternative.
Little variety of models
When choosing a hydrogen powered model, there are not many options. The problem with this technology today is that manufacturers do not dare to mass-produce models. In this sense, the minuscule network of "hydroelectric generators" mentioned above has a decisive influence. There will inevitably be a chain reaction. As there are few gas stations and the price of cars is high, the demand is still too low. It all means that manufacturers do not dare to enter fully into the distribution business.
Take up more space
Fuel cell electric vehicles have considerable technical complexity. In most cases, all the components that the vehicle contains (engine, control unit and converter, transmission, fuel cell), especially the space occupied by the hydrogen tank, make the models manufactured so far very large.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about hydrogen cars and their characteristics.