The gradual abandonment of gasoline and diesel vehicles is leading to the deployment of new ecological alternatives. Although, today, the electric car is the preferred solution for the future, another technology is attracting interest: hydrogen. What are the differences between an electric vehicle and a hydrogen vehicle? What is the most sustainable? Qovolotis enlightens you.
Electric car or hydrogen: how does it work?
Hydrogen or electric ? While these technologies both work with an electric motor, they nevertheless have very distinct characteristics. Explanations.
- The electric car
It works thanks to a lithium ion battery that stores electricity and supplies it to the motor. The latter powers the various components of the vehicle and makes the wheels turn directly: this is why there is no gearbox. Like a telephone or a computer, the battery is connected to an electrical network (charging station or outlet) to recharge. Because of its functioning, it does not burn fossil fuels and does not emit pollution. It is therefore a clean vehicle.
- The hydrogen car
It also works thanks to an electric motor. On the other hand, the energy does not come from an external network, but directly from the car. How? Thanks to a embedded fuel cell containing hydrogen. When the car is driving, a chemical reaction takes place: hydrogen reacts with the oxygen in the ambient air and generates electricity, heat and water vapor.
The electricity generated by the fuel cell powers the engine. Like the electric car, the hydrogen car does not emit polluting gases or CO2, but only water in the form of gas that escapes via a tube located under the vehicle. To recharge a hydrogen car, it is necessary to refill the fuel cell on a pressurized tank accessible in a dedicated station.
Electric car: its advantages compared to hydrogen
Electric mobility is continuing to develop all over the world and offers several advantages compared to hydrogen:
- An extended charging network in France
With the emergence of the electric car, numerous charging points have developed: in supermarket car parks, hotels, highway areas, businesses, condominiums... At present, it is much easier to fill up with electricity than with hydrogen. In 2021, there were around 57,000 public charging stations for electric vehicles, compared to around twenty for hydrogen stations. The reason: the expensive investment required for their development (more than one million euros for a station).
- Better energy efficiency
The fuel cell of a hydrogen-powered car is between 25% and 35% energy efficient, compared to 70% to 80% for an electric car. Over the same distance, hydrogen consumes up to 3 times more energy than electricity.
- The low cost of charging
For 100 km of autonomy, the cost of recharging a hydrogen car is between 9 and 12€. This is higher than the electric car, whose cost per 100 km is between €2 and €7. In addition, some charging stations such as those of Qovoltis offer “Smart charging” functionalities, which make it possible to control charging remotely (via a mobile application) and to take advantage of cheaper electricity. Thanks to the optimized charging mode, it is possible to charge your car according to full and off-peak rates and to make additional savings.
Also to read: How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Hydrogen vehicle: what is the situation today?
A hydrogen-powered vehicle has two undeniable advantages:
- Autonomy
A hydrogen-powered vehicle like the Toyota Mirai can travel up to 600 km on a full battery. For an electric car, the real range is around 450 km for the most powerful ones. Finally, unlike the electric car, the autonomy of a hydrogen car is not affected by weather conditions.
- The speed of recharging
A maximum of 10 minutes is enough to fully power the hydrogen fuel cell, compared to a minimum of half an hour for an electric car.
In the end, what to choose between Hydrogen or electric ? It all depends on the use of the vehicle. At present, hydrogen is mainly suitable for heavy vehicles requiring a great deal of autonomy such as commercial vehicles, trucks and buses. Because of its advantages (autonomy and recharging time), it meets above all the intensive needs of professionals in urban areas: transport and logistics, express mail, municipal services, etc.
For private individuals, the hydrogen-powered car is still struggling to convince. The reason: its more expensive charging, the lack of infrastructure... and its additional purchase cost, which is around 70,000 euros on average.
Electric mobility continues to be deployed on a large scale, in particular thanks to grants that make it possible to finance the purchase and installation of charging stations. The electric car is aimed at all audiences, individuals and professionals alike, and is now a particularly smart investment for the future.
Also to read: What aid or subsidies are available to electrify your company fleet? (2022)
Sources: Leasing insurance, Futura Sciences, Beev
