FCEVs Face Hurdles Amid Rising BEV Sales

In recent years, battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) have taken center stage in the automotive industry, with sales soaring globally. However, amidst this structural shift, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are facing challenges in their bid to gain traction as a viable alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and BEVs.

Published

July 2023

Industry

Electric Vehicles

FCEVs differ from BEVs in their power generation approach, creating electricity through hydrogen fuel cells rather than relying solely on batteries. This distinction has made FCEVs an emission-free solution, aside from the environmental cost of hydrogen production.

Key components of FCEVs include a smaller lithium-ion battery to complement the hydrogen fuel cell. The hydrogen is stored in gas form within a fuel tank, as liquid hydrogen requires cryogenic temperatures for storage. The fuel cell stack utilizes hydrogen gas to generate electricity, with the resulting chemical reaction producing water as the only emission through the exhaust pipe.

Despite their potential benefits, FCEVs are grappling with hurdles that have hindered widespread adoption. One of the primary challenges is hydrogen’s efficiency problem, as the process of producing hydrogen and converting it into electricity is not as efficient as battery-based systems.

Another major obstacle is the lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. While BEVs can be charged at home or at one of the 49,210 charging stations nationwide in the U.S., FCEVs have only 48 hydrogen stations across the entire country, with the vast majority concentrated in California. This scarcity severely limits the practicality of FCEVs for consumers, as they face range anxiety due to the lack of refueling options.

Automakers have largely shifted their focus towards BEVs, with Toyota being a notable exception. Toyota, a pioneer in hybrid technology, has invested heavily in fuel cell development, leading the way with their FCEV model, the Toyota Mirai. However, their decision to prioritize hydrogen over BEVs has drawn criticism, especially as the rest of the industry moves towards battery-powered solutions.

While some automakers like Hyundai continue to invest in fuel cell development alongside their BEV offerings, the industry as a whole is leaning heavily towards BEVs. Toyota’s recent announcement of their first BEV, the bZ4X crossover, set for release in the 2023 model year, comes more than a decade after Tesla’s groundbreaking launch of the Model S.

To achieve global climate targets, the auto industry will require 30 times more minerals per year, raising concerns about the strain on mineral supply. BEVs appear to be leading the charge in the race to decarbonize transportation, backed by an increasing number of models available in the market and expanding charging networks supported by government initiatives.

As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, the fate of FCEVs remains uncertain. While they present a promising emission-free solution, their progress is contingent upon overcoming challenges related to hydrogen efficiency and infrastructure expansion. The automotive industry’s shift towards sustainability and carbon neutrality will undoubtedly rely on the continued advancement and adoption of cleaner technologies in the coming years.

Source: Energyminute