HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE, HOW IT WORKS
HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE
Hydrogen vehicles are classified as:
- Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
- Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines
- Hydrogen Range Extender
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is an electric vehicle which uses a fuel cell, instead of a battery, or in combination with a small battery or supercapacitor, to power its on-board electric motor.
In a FCEV the energy is storages by high compressed hydrogen tank.
The fuel cell generates electricity to power the electric motor, using oxygen from the air and hydrogen (H2) from the vehicle tank.
FECV are zero-emissions vehicles.
There are only water in the exhaust without CO2 or NOx emissions.
The range of FCEV is over 600 km and maximum refuelling time at the Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS) is about 5 min.
The hydrogen price in the future will be 5-6 €/kg.
Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines
Hydrogen internal combustion vehicles (H2-ICE) are powered by internal combustion engines in which the fuel used is hydrogen or a mixture of hydrocarbons and hydrogen.
It can be used in both Otto and Diesel engines.
These vehicles significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional ICE’s.
Hydrogen Range Extender vehicles
Hydrogen Range Extender, in general, are electric vehicles equipped in addition to the vehicle’s batteries with a hydrogen storage system and fuel cell.
In this way it is possible to operate with both energy sources and therefore the autonomy of the vehicle is increased.
An additional advantage is the option of energy source for charging the vehicle, which may will be electric or hydrogen.
Being fuel cell based systems together with batteries this configuration result as a zero emission vehicle.
[Ref.: Asociación Española del Hidrógeno (AeH2)]
