The Problem With Hydrogen Cars

Summary

The video explores the rise and current state of hydrogen fuel cell technology for vehicles. Despite early predictions of hydrogen cars becoming mainstream, with support from governments and industry, the technology has not taken off due to challenges in hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. Today, hydrogen cars remain niche with only a few models available. The video discusses the potential of hydrogen fuel cells in other sectors, such as public transport and heavy-duty vehicles, suggesting that while hydrogen cars may not dominate the market soon, the technology could still play a significant role in the future of energy and transportation.

Takeaways

• 🚗 At the turn of the century, hydrogen fuel cell cars were seen as a promising alternative to internal combustion engines and battery electric vehicles.
• 📈 Between 2000 and 2019, 83% of all hydrogen research was published, indicating a significant interest in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
• 🌟 Big Oil companies and government initiatives like George Bush's $1.3 billion hydrogen fuel initiative fueled the hype around hydrogen economy.
• 📉 Despite early predictions of millions of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2020, there are currently only around 56,000 globally.
• 🚀 Hydrogen fuel cell technology allows for quick refueling and long-distance travel, similar to traditional vehicles, with only water vapor as emission.
• ⚖️ Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not a source, and must be extracted from other molecules, often through energy-intensive processes.
• 🌿 'Green hydrogen' is produced using renewable energy sources, but it is less economical and more complex than 'brown hydrogen' derived from natural gas.
• 🚧 The infrastructure for hydrogen fueling is currently limited, with only a handful of public hydrogen fuel stations, making widespread adoption impractical.
• 🔋 The efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from production to use is around 25-35%, compared to the higher efficiency of battery electric vehicles.
• 🚍 While hydrogen cars are not yet mainstream, fuel cell technology is being used in buses, trucks, and other heavy-duty vehicles for public transport.
• 🔮 The potential for hydrogen fuel cell technology to disrupt the wider transport industry is significant as the technology continues to develop.

Q & A

What were the early expectations for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at the turn of the century?

At the turn of the century, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were expected to be the environmentally friendly alternative to internal combustion engines and a promising option to battery electric vehicles. It was anticipated that by 2015, there would be up to 1 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Europe and 5 million in Japan by 2020.

What are the two commercially available hydrogen fuel cell cars to the public?

The two commercially available hydrogen fuel cell cars to the public are the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo.

How does hydrogen fuel cell technology differ from battery electric vehicles?

Hydrogen fuel cell technology differs from battery electric vehicles in that it uses hydrogen gas to generate electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen, whereas electric vehicles store electricity in batteries. Hydrogen fuel cells can offer quicker refueling times and longer range, but currently have less infrastructure support.

What is the process of generating electricity in a hydrogen fuel cell?

In a hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen is split into a proton and an electron at the anode using a catalyst. The protons move towards oxygen at the cathode, while the electrons are passed through a circuit generating an electric current. The electrons and protons then recombine at the cathode to form water, releasing only water vapor and heat as byproducts.

Why is hydrogen not considered an energy source but an energy carrier?

Hydrogen is not considered an energy source like oil or natural gas but an energy carrier because it does not exist freely as a gas in nature. It must be extracted from other compounds such as water or hydrocarbons, which requires energy input.

What are the two main methods of producing hydrogen gas mentioned in the script?

The two main methods of producing hydrogen gas mentioned are steam methane reforming, which uses methane and high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen, and electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

What is the significance of 'brown hydrogen' and 'green hydrogen' in the context of hydrogen production?

Brown hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced from natural gas through steam methane reforming, which results in carbon dioxide emissions. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources through electrolysis, resulting in no direct carbon dioxide emissions.

Why is the distribution of hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles considered challenging?

The distribution of hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles is challenging due to its low density, which requires it to be transported in high-pressure containers or as liquefied hydrogen. Both methods are energy-intensive and expensive, making the overall process less efficient than for battery electric vehicles.

What is the current efficiency rate of the processes required to prepare, transport, and use hydrogen in a fuel cell?

The efficiency rate of the processes required to prepare, transport, and use hydrogen in a fuel cell is around 25 to 35 percent, which is lower than the efficiency rate for battery-operated vehicles.

How does the current lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure impact the practicality of hydrogen cars?

The current lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure makes using hydrogen cars impractical for users, as there are limited public hydrogen fuel stations, especially in regions like the UK and the US where vast areas do not have a single refueling station.

In what other applications besides cars does hydrogen fuel cell technology have potential?

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has potential in various applications such as powering buses, trucks, and industrial equipment where heavy loads and long distances are involved. It can also be used for backup power generation and in areas that cannot be easily electrified.