Introduction:

Hydrogen cars are gaining popularity as a promising alternative to conventional fossil-fuelled vehicles. Unlike petrol or diesel cars, hydrogen cars use fuel cells to generate electricity from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. One of the most important aspects in assessing the viability of these vehicles is their fuel efficiency and fuel consumption. In this article, we will explore how much fuel a hydrogen car uses, providing technical data and discussing its efficiency compared to other types of vehicles.

How does a hydrogen car work?

A hydrogen car has a fuel cell system that uses hydrogen as an energy source. The hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks and supplied to the fuel cells. Inside the fuel cells, the hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to produce electricity, generating the energy needed to power the vehicle’s electric motor. The only emission resulting from this process is water vapour, making hydrogen cars an environmentally friendly option.

Fuel consumption of hydrogen cars:

The fuel consumption of hydrogen cars is measured in kilograms of hydrogen per 100 kilometres driven (kg/100 km). However, due to the way hydrogen is stored and delivered, other measurement terms are also used, such as kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres (kWh/100 km) or miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe).

Efficiency of hydrogen cars:

Hydrogen cars are known for their high energy efficiency compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. This is mainly due to two factors: the efficiency of the electric motor and the efficiency of the fuel cells. Electric motors are inherently more efficient than internal combustion engines, and fuel cells are also highly efficient at converting hydrogen into electricity.

Actual fuel consumption of hydrogen cars:

The actual fuel consumption of hydrogen cars can vary depending on several factors, such as the specific technology used, vehicle design, driving conditions and the user’s driving style. In general, it is estimated that a hydrogen car can consume between 0.7 and 1.3 kg/100 km of hydrogen, which is roughly equivalent to 60-110 kWh/100 km or 50-70 MPGe.

Comparison with other vehicle types

When comparing the fuel consumption of hydrogen cars with other types of vehicles, it is important to consider the source of hydrogen used. If the hydrogen is produced from renewable sources, such as solar or wind energy, hydrogen cars can be considered truly emission-free.