Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV)

A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is also known as a Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) or a Zero Emission vehicle. These are electric vehicles that use hydrogen gas to generate their own electricity.

In these vehicles, the fuel’s chemical energy is converted directly into electrical energy. The working principle of a “fuel cell” electric vehicle differs from that of a “plug-in” electric vehicle. This is because an FCEV generates the electricity it needs to run within the vehicle itself.

Fuel cell electric vehicles are vehicles that use hydrogen gas. When hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell, it generates electricity and is expelled as water vapor. These vehicles run using electric motors, and fuel cells are a type of energy generation system that can produce electricity in the vehicle.

What Is a Fuel Cell?

A fuel cell is a device where an electrochemical reaction takes place between Hydrogen and Oxygen.

A fuel cell’s main components include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. In the presence of an electrolyte, fuel ions, i.e. Hydrogen ions, react with Oxygen ions to produce electricity, water vapor, and heat.

how a fuel cell works in a hydrogen-powered vehicle — How a fuel cell works

This reaction also only takes place at a temperature of 80°C. Hence, this reaction is also known as ‘cold combustion’. The electricity generated this way, in turn, powers an electric motor that turns the vehicle’s wheels.

A single fuel cell is about two millimeters thick. However, it can only generate a potential difference of 1 volt. For this reason, a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle uses an array of hundreds of fuel cells, called a ‘fuel cell stack’.

Main Components of a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV):

1. Hydrogen storage tank/fuel tank:

Gaseous Hydrogen is used as fuel in fuel cell electric vehicles. These storage tanks store hydrogen at 700 bar pressure.

2. Fuel Cell Stack

This is the power center of these vehicles, where the Hydrogen from the storage tank reacts with Oxygen from the ambient air to generate electricity.

3. Electric Motor:

The fuel cell stack generates electricity and powers the electric motor. The motor, in turn, spins the vehicle’s wheels.

fuel cell electric vehicle operating system

4. Electric Battery:

An electric battery’s function is to store the extra electrical energy produced by the fuel cell stack. It then supplies the same when the vehicle needs more energy to run.

5. Control Module

The control unit monitors the vehicle’s overall energy demand, and thus coordinates the functions of the fuel cell stack, motor, and battery to achieve optimum performance.

Fast Refueling

Unlike battery electric vehicles, FCEVs can refuel with hydrogen in just 3-5 minutes.

Only Water Vapor Emissions

Fuel cell vehicles release only water vapor from their exhaust, instead of harmful gas.

Long Range

FCEVs can typically offer a range of 500-650 km on a single fill.

Advantages of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV):

Fuel cell electric vehicles have many advantages. First of all, these vehicles have zero emissions, so they don’t harm the environment. Also, hydrogen gas has a very high energy density, which lets vehicles travel very long distances. Refueling hydrogen gas is also fast, which means vehicles have a long service life.

Disadvantages of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

Storing hydrogen under high pressure is risky and can be fatal in the event of a collision.
The excess heat generated by the fuel cell is difficult to manage, and it also hampers performance over the long term.
These vehicles are still expensive, which is why they can’t be used by the general public. They also require a modern infrastructure, such as refueling stations with advanced handling capabilities.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Brands and Models

Toyota (Mirai), Honda (Clarity), Hyundai (Nexo), Kia (Niro), BMW (i Hydrogen Next), and Mercedes-Benz (GLC F-Cell) have released fuel cell electric vehicles onto the market.