The Challenges and Limitations of Hydrogen as a Vehicle Fuel Source

Why don't many vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel source? The answer lies in a multitude of challenges that make hydrogen an impractical choice, especially for passenger cars. These obstacles include its inefficiency, cost, transportation, and infrastructure issues.

Obstacles to Widespread Adoption

Hydrogen faces several significant hurdles that prevent its widespread use as a fuel for vehicles. These challenges stem from its physical properties and the difficulties in production, storage, and distribution.

Poor Efficiency and High Costs

One of the primary reasons hydrogen is not extensively used is its inefficiency as a fuel. When hydrogen is produced, nearly 25% of the energy is lost. Moreover, the process of creating hydrogen requires large amounts of electricity, which again leads to further energy loss. Liquid hydrogen must be stored at extremely low temperatures (-253 degrees Celsius) or at high pressures (350 to 700 bar), which adds to the complexity and costs.

Physiological and Industrial Applications

The difficulties inherent in working with hydrogen are not just limited to automotive use. SpaceX, for instance, opts for liquid methane over hydrogen for its rockets, despite the latter's potential advantages in certain applications, due to the higher dynamic efficiency of liquid methane and the necessity for less insulation in storage tanks. This highlights the practicality of alternative fuels in specific areas.

Industrial applications, particularly in situations where cost is a major concern, have found some success with hydrogen. However, the logistics and infrastructure barriers remain significant challenges for its use in passenger vehicles.

Mechanical and Transportation Challenges

The process of creating hydrogen on demand involves a heavy reliance on electricity, which often results in significant energy loss. Furthermore, transporting hydrogen at such high pressures or temperatures requires specialized vehicles and specialized handling to prevent container explosions. This makes hydrogen a less than ideal fuel for widespread use.

Limited Infrastructure and Availability

Despite some advancements, the infrastructure for hydrogen refueling remains limited. Currently, only Japan and California have a sizeable number of hydrogen stations. These stations often face downtime for maintenance, as in the case of the Mirai, where one or both of the two stations might be out of service. This poses a significant inconvenience for drivers.

The high costs of hydrogen production and storage, along with the necessity for specialized infrastructure, make it economically unfeasible in comparison to other energy sources. Moreover, the majority of hydrogen produced today still comes from fossil fuels, which counters the goal of reducing carbon emissions.

Comparison with More Practical Alternatives

Given the above challenges, it becomes clear why there are better alternatives to hydrogen for vehicle fuel. Electric vehicles (EVs) and bio-fuels, for instance, are rapidly gaining traction due to their higher efficiency, lower infrastructure costs, and better environmental performance. Recent developments in battery technology are making EVs increasingly attractive alternatives to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

In conclusion, while hydrogen has potential in certain specialized applications, its widespread use in passenger vehicles is hindered by a myriad of physical, economic, and logistical challenges. The search for more efficient and cost-effective renewable energy sources remains crucial in our quest for sustainable transportation.

Keywords

- hydrogen fuel - vehicle fuel - hydrogen stations - energy storage