Hydrogen has become an alternative fuel to diesel and gasoline that is also environmentally friendly. However, its high level of consumption is a drawback when deciding to buy one of these vehicles, although its high price is also a drawback. On the other hand, currently 96% of hydrogen is obtained through coal, oil or natural gas, and this represents an energy consumption that produces emissions of polluting gases, such as CO2.
Consumption of a hydrogen fuel cell car
The hydrogen fuel cell car has a consumption of around 29 kWh per 100 km. This figure can be translated into 0.9 kg of hydrogen per 100 km. For example, in the case of the Mercedes Class BF cell car, which has a range of 380 km, it consumes 1 kg of hydrogen after 100 km. Likewise, models such as the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell guarantee that they consume half the fuel compared to conventional gasoline or diesel cars.
Comparison with electric cars
On the other hand, the battery electric car consumes about 14 kWh per 100 km. Therefore, the hydrogen car spends twice as much as the first. But that is not all. The hydrogen can consume up to three times more energy than an electric car. Just to obtain 1 kg of hydrogen, twice the energy is required than that amount can offer.
In addition, if the costs of transport (10%), distribution (10%), generation (50%), recharging (20%) and battery (10%) in the electric car are taken into account, consumption can skyrocket to 28kWz for 100 km. However, for the hydrogen vehicle, the sum of the costs of generation, distribution and transport of the electricity generated by hydrogen would mean a total of 91 wks., that is, three times more than the electric one.
Hydrogen cost
Lastly, we can also consider the variable of the price of this alternative fuel. Refueling a gasoline car for 100 km (which would be 2.8 kg of gasoline) costs around €5.27, while refueling a hydrogen car for 100 km (approximately 1 kg of hydrogen) is more expensive, reaching €12.
On the other hand, 100 km in an electric car would have a value of €2.38, which makes this model the most economical in consumption. In conclusion, hydrogen car fuel is expensive compared to gasoline, diesel and electricity.
