The transportation sector accounts for roughly one third of our greenhouse gas emissions. Many people are coming to terms with the fact that, to reduce our carbon footprint, we need to change the way we power our vehicles.
Although most people think of electric cars as the solution, some are starting to realize that hydrogen may be the more viable option.
There’s no denying that electric cars are getting cheaper and better, but they’re not quite the best option for every situation.
That’s where hydrogen comes in. If your daily drive is less than 20 miles and you have access to a hydrogen fueling station, for example, a hydrogen car could be a fantastic option.
The big problem is, there are only a handful of stations in the U.S. right now, and they aren’t exactly easy to find.
Many people today are looking for the most environmentally friendly ways to power their cars. Thanks to the increasing trend of hybrid and electric vehicles, significant progress has been made in that area.
We’re not quite at the stage where all cars are zero-emission, but is that really the best way to go?
In some cases, yes. But there are a few compelling reasons why hydrogen-powered cars might be the future of eco-friendly driving.
Both hydrogen and electric cars have their advantages and disadvantages. While hydrogen cars are considered zero-emission vehicles, they do require hydrogen to be produced, and transportation costs can be an issue.
With an electric vehicle, you don’t have to worry about hydrogen availability (you have to fill up as with any other car) but of course, you must recharge the battery, usually at home or at a charging station. Also, electric cars are only as clean as the electricity they run on.
Electric, hybrid, hydrogen: understanding the differences
The debate about electric, hybrid, hydrogen cars is surging. Electric cars are a popular option, but they always have their issues, and there’s no one “best” option— each type of car has its own pros and cons, and depends on where you live and how you intend to use it.
One option you may not have considered yet is a hybrid car, which combines the best of both worlds: the emissions-free electric motor of an electric car, but with the backup of a traditional engine should you ever run out of charge.
Hydrogen cars are a newer option, and they use a fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity, which is then used to power electric motors in the wheels, delivering the same performance as conventional electric cars.
Hydrogen Cars Vs Electric Cars: Available Power/ReFuelling Stations
Hydrogen cars are expected to be a crucial part of the future: they are zero-emissions vehicles that are highly sustainable. However, electric cars are also important to the future and are becoming increasingly popular. This article aims to compare the two in terms of power and refueling stations.
In the fight of hydrogen cars vs electric cars to be the most sustainable form of transportation, one important factor is whether or not the electricity is generated from fossil fuels or from a green source.
The other factor is how quickly one can refuel their car. Currently, electric cars can be fueled in minutes while hydrogen cars still need to be filled up at a hydrogen station. But both are making strides to be more and more efficient and to have longer ranges.
Electric cars are getting more attention than ever before – and for good reason; they’re more energy efficient, healthier for the environment, and quieter to run than their combustion engine counterparts.
But, as with anything, electric cars have their pros and cons. Chief among the cons is the high cost of the vehicles themselves, which can usually be attributed to the high cost of batteries used to power them.
Some alternative fuel advocates have therefore suggested that hydrogen-powered cars might be a better alternative for those who want the benefits of electric cars, but who can’t afford the steep price of entry.
Hydrogen Cars Vs Electric Cars: Powering/Refuelling Time
The most commonly known alternative fuel options are either Electric or Hydrogen-powered vehicles. The former has become the choice of many governments to phase out the use of fossil fuels and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, while the latter is more commonly used in the aviation industry and are now deemed to be a viable contender to replace the internal combustion engine.
So, how do they compare?
The main thing that is holding back hydrogen-powered cars is the time it takes to refuel them. With a typical electric car, you can plug it in and charge it overnight.
Hydrogen cars need to be refueled at hydrogen stations which often take longer to fill than electric cars.
The main difference between Hydrogen cars and electric cars is that the former run on Hydrogen gas and the latter run on electricity.
However, they have a lot more differences than that. Not only do they use different fuels, but the process of powering and refueling them is different as well. Let’s take a look at the differences in more detail.
Electric cars vs. hydrogen: hydrogen’s long-term potential
With so many questions about the feasibility of hydrogen-powered cars, it’s easy to forget that, in many ways, these vehicles are just as good as the EVs we’re all so familiar with. We know that the greenest car is the one that’s always parked, so what’s ultimately most important is what powers the car.
Lithium-ion batteries can lose up to 20 percent of their charge in the first 24 hours after driving, so if you’re not a daily commuter, you may find electric cars aren’t for you.
While for decades electric cars were not even on the radar for consumers, the current trend is that more and more people are looking to buy an electric car. Research and development are underway to make them a viable alternative to vehicles that run on fossil fuels.
The idea is that electric cars will be zero emission vehicles. They will be environmentally friendly and a good way to help the environment, as well as our health.
Last Words
While the cost of gasoline has dropped in recent months, the price of electricity continues to rise, and many people are looking into electric cars as an alternative to conventional gas-powered vehicles. The good news? Electric cars have come a long way in recent years. You can now choose from a number of vehicles that offer a variety of features, from a fun-to-drive commuter car to a family-friendly SUV to a sporty roadster. If you’re still feeling wary, you probably have questions about how electric vehicles work.
