All you need to know about Hydrogen fuel cell cars

All you need to know about Hydrogen fuel cell cars

When the world is in a huge epidemic finding other power sources for engines can contribute to the betterment of the future. Hydrogen and EVs are the next generation in the automobile industry which can also contribute towards a healthier environment.

Less pollution and noise are what battery electric-powered vehicles are all about. This implies electric vehicles come with a larger battery which you can charge from in-built mounted charger. Hydrogen cars are quite different from electric cars and the technology is majorly known as fuel cell electric vehicles or FCEV.

How did hydrogen engine work?

Hydrogen cars come with an electric motor and termed as an e-car and they commonly stand for FCEV. There is one major difference between hydrogen fuel cars and other electric cars are hydrogen cars produce electricity on their own. They have their own efficient power plant inbuilt which is known as a fuel cell.

Hydrogen has comes as a clean fuel with no danger of harmful tailpipe emissions, they are the same as electric vehicles but with an inclusion of fuel tank. They focus on boosting the performance and torque of battery-electric cars and provide a greater range on other EVs in the market.

Pros and cons of hydrogen cars

Pros

● Identical with EVs

Hydrogen fuel cell cars are the same as an electric vehicle, at the time of driving one you can feel like driving an electric car. Like an electric car, the engine doesn’t make any noise as electric motors tend to provide more torque at low speeds.

● Rapid Charging

Unlike, electric vehicles it doesn’t require much time to attain a full charge in the vehicle. Hydrogen tanks in fuel cars are full and ready to roll on the roads in less than five minutes.

● Covers a large range

Hydrogen fuel cell cars cover a longer range than electric cars as a full hydrogen tank covers 300 miles. Battery-powered cars come with larger batteries which tends to increase the weight of vehicle and charging duration.

Cons

● Expensive

The technology used in hydrogen cars is quite expensive as it requires high-pressure and on-board hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is expensive to acquire and transport for the same there is not available.

● Lesser refueling stations

The major issue with hydrogen fuel cell cars is refueling. The hydrogen engine can be refueled at special fuel pumps which is lesser currently, but in the near future, there will be more service stations. Unlike Hydrogen gas, electric cars users can install a home charging station which alleviates the need to travel with any kind of gas or hydrogen station. You’re just one step away from plugging at home.

How much do hydrogen cars costs?

There is a lesser demand for hydrogen fuel cell cars as they are very expensive to acquire. The vehicles under fuel cells are available in the market which costs around $80,000 in upper or mid-range vehicles.

 

Let’s have a look at some of the hydrogen cars for sale available in the market

Hyundai NEXO

Hyundai NEXO is the first fuel-cell vehicle that has passed all the crash tests and achieved a higher rating.  NEXO is the successor of Hyundai ix35 FCEV that was the first car produced in the US market. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has undergone tests and retained the safety ratings from IIHS.

The striking design of the NEXO is the only hydrogen car for sale with 4 doors and rear hatch also it comes with a benefit as the car sitting idle can generate electricity and can be used at the time of emergencies.  The fuel cells present in the Hyundai Nexo are developed from four generations which provide better storage, lesser fuel consumption, and high performance. It has three hydrogen tanks which tends to hold 6.33 kilogram of hydrogen and provide a range of 756-kilo meters.

 

Specifications
Horsepower 120 hp
Range 756 km
0-100 km/h 9.2 seconds
Top-speed 179 km/h
Fuel Economy 61 MPG-e
Battery 40 kw
MSRP $58,300

Toyota Mirai

The Mirai FCEV is a rear-wheel-drive sedan that looks the same as the coupe. Mirai means “future” in Japanese which is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle manufactured by Toyota. The chief engineer of the company has determined the vehicle will be connecting with the user and gives off the vibe of driving it all the time.

Mirai has two hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 5kilograms and comes with 3 years or $15,000 worth of free fuel as well as offers an extended 10-year warranty.  Toyota also offers an eight-year or 1, 60,000 kilometer warranty.

 

Specifications
Horsepower 155hp
Range 500km
Battery 40kW
0-100 km/h 9.6 seconds
Top speed 175km/h
Fuel Economy 66 MPG-e
MSRP $58,500

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Honda Clarity fuel cell is based on the hybrid clarity and consists of three members, electric one, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen engine. The Clarity is an utmost luxury car with leather upholstery, power driver’s seat and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple car play and Android Auto compatibility also it includes in-built navigation which displays the nearby hydrogen station.

The clarity will give a cut-throat competition to the futuristic Mirai with its designs, edgy features and high tech. Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is available for lease at $379 month with a range of 360 miles and available in three different colors to choose from. It comes with the fast-filling system for hydrogen gas which takes the time of 3-5 minutes to reach full. Check hydrogen cars for sale in your area.

 

Specifications
Range 650km
0-100km/h 9.2 seconds
Power 176hp
Fuel Economy 68 MPG-e
MSRP $59,000

FAQ

What is the difference between fuel-cell, plug-in hybrid, and electric cars?

Fuel-cell vehicle covers a range of 300 miles or more and takes less than 5 minutes in refueling also it has highly efficient fuel cell which creates the on-demand electricity for power with no harmful emissions.

The electric vehicle takes the power from electricity stored which is more efficient and powerful and can be charged with a power outlet. It produces no emissions, its range can vary depending upon the battery capacity.

The plug-in hybrid comes with a standard gasoline engine along with an electric motor and battery which allows all-electric driving capability. With hybrid powertrain, the vehicle can be driven efficiently at long distances.