Renault hints at upcoming car with ‘hydrogen engine’ – Image and sound

Certainly nothing to exclude and for certain purposes this can be quite interesting. But the illusion is often created that this is also a good alternative on a large scale so that we can continue to use combustion engines en masse. Technically it is possible, but it is not realistic because the costs will be multiples compared to EVs. Only a very select group will be able to do this financially. Hydrogen is and will remain very expensive for the time being and storage is a problem – also with hydrogen combustion engines.

All those EV negatives you mention also apply to hydrogen cars – sometimes to a lesser extent, but certainly in comparison with cars with a combustion engine:

– Precious resources needed

A fuel cell (which is the better choice given its efficiency) also requires precious raw materials, such as platinum and cobalt. A car with a hydrogen combustion engine will also have a small battery like hybrids do now, because then you can recover energy during braking. So also the associated raw materials. Oil is required for the engine components, among other things.

– Heavier (more wear on the road surface, etc)

Hydrogen cars are also a lot heavier. Oa because of the large and sturdy gas tanks (two to three pieces)

– needs a lot of power, which our current electricity grid can’t handle (yet)

At best, a hydrogen car needs three times as much power. Even more with hydrogen combustion engines. In theory, this can be done via wind turbines, but electrolysers will not only work if there is excess capacity. In other words: much more power and very expensive.

– Loading times

The current H2 filling stations cannot be compared with regular filling stations. After each refueling, the pressure must be brought back to the correct level. After two or three cars, the next person who wants to refuel has to wait +-half an hour.

– relatively (still) short range

Hydrogen cars also have a limited range (450-600km). There are several BEVs that come just as far. Increasing the range further is a problem because there is only one way to do this: by adding even more storage tanks (where?). Much more of these are needed anyway, because hydrogen combustion engines are less efficient than a fuel cell, so you don’t get far with them than the current two hydrogen cars. Then you are more likely around 350-400km and then you might as well drive an EV.

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