The Future of Hydrogen Cars: A Radical View vs. Electric Vehicles

Today, the world is witnessing a significant shift in transportation towards electric vehicles (EVs). However, as a seasoned SEO expert, I have a secret for you—one that might surprise you. Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are far from becoming obsolete. In fact, they’re not going away anytime soon. This revelation might challenge the conventional wisdom surrounding the future of mobility, but trust me, the reasoning is solid.

Overhyped and Underneath Pollution

The electric car industry’s ability to sway policymakers and politicians with massive marketing budgets has created a significant challenge for traditional vehicles. However, it’s essential to look beneath the surface of this trend. Despite all the hype about EVs being environmentally friendly, the harsh reality is that they are currently worse for the planet than conventional ICEs. It’s not just about the child labor involved in manufacturing them; it’s the batteries that truly cause the environmental harm.

The Battery Dilemma

One EV typically uses around 100,000 individual batteries. With each vehicle traveling up to 300,000 miles, the owner effectively uses around 30 miles of range per battery. This is not a very efficient use of energy. Not even the most eco-conscious EV owners would consider an older, high-mileage vehicle as their primary mode of transportation. But even if they do drive an EV beyond 300,000 miles, the environmental impact becomes more significant when we consider the lifecycle of these batteries. Producing, charging, and recycling 10,000 batteries is more detrimental to the planet than simply using oil from the same amount of extracted resources. When the batteries degrade over time, it takes longer to charge and covers fewer miles per charge, further exacerbating the problem.

The Overlooked Settlement Costs of EVs

Moreover, producing the components for an EV, from various parts sourced from different parts of the world, and bringing them together inevitably leads to increased oil consumption. This is similar to early ICE vehicles. The infrastructure and supply chain required to support EVs are far from perfect, and they are certainly crude compared to what we truly need. Until we can improve the efficiency and sustainability of battery production and lifecycle, EVs will remain a less favorable option for the environment.

Hydrogen: A Radical Proposal?

Some advocate for hydrogen cars as a solution to the battery problem. While hydrogen does have its merits, it’s not a magic bullet that can replace batteries. Producing hydrogen is energy-intensive, and running it through an expensive fuel cell to generate electricity, then using that to power an electric motor, introduces significant power losses. While this setup might work for basic acceleration needs, it fails to match the performance of electric motors, especially those used in Tesla’s vehicles. If hydrogen cars are to be competitive, they would need to incorporate substantial batteries, which would negate the initial advantage of using a fuel cell.

Infrastructure Challenges

Another major hurdle is the lack of hydrogen infrastructure. Currently, hydrogen filling stations are either scarce or non-existent. The installation of more of these stations would require heavy subsidies, but they would struggle to become self-sustaining. Moreover, storing hydrogen at 7,000 psi in high-pressure tanks introduces safety concerns and the risk of hydrogen leakage, potentially leading to explosions.

Comparative Analysis

While there have been ongoing developments in fuel cell technology for about 40 years, they are far from reaching a level of efficiency comparable to lithium batteries used in EVs. Claims like Tesla’s batteries lasting over a million miles are impressive, but can a fuel cell match that? Not likely. As range improvements in lithium batteries continue, they are swiftly outpacing fuel cells, even when incorporating hydrogen as a fuel source. Additionally, the accessibility of hydrogen remains a significant challenge. Most homeowners don’t have access to hydrogen, whereas electricity is available almost everywhere.

A Balanced Perspective

In summary, while the shift towards electric vehicles is commendable, conventional internal combustion engines are far from obsolete. The challenge lies in addressing the inefficiencies and environmental impacts of current EV technology. Hydrogen cars, despite their potential, face significant obstacles in terms of infrastructure, cost, and efficiency. For the time being, the innovation in battery technology seems to have the upper hand in creating a more sustainable future for personal transportation.