Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
An FCEV, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, is a vehicle powered by hydrogen that emits only water vapour and warm air. Read on to find out more about FCEVs
What is a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle?
FCEVs are a type of electric vehicle that is powered by hydrogen. They tend to be more efficient than regular vehicles with an internal combustion engine and like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), they produce no emissions. However, they do emit some water vapour and warm air due to the internal mechanisms.
FCEVs are typically equipped with advanced technologies to improve their efficiency. This can include regenerative braking systems that help to store energy that is lost during braking.
At the moment, since FCEVs use a different kind of fuel, there aren’t as many locations to refuel an FCEV as there are for regular BEVs. While there are more locations being added across the country, it still pales in comparison to regular electric vehicles.
How does an FCEV work?
FCEVs are similar to regular BEVs. They have energy stored as hydrogen which is then converted into electricity by the fuel cell. Since hydrogen is the main source of energy here, it doesn’t produce harmful tailpipe emissions. Pure hydrogen gas is stored in the tank of the vehicle, meaning it’s very quick and easy to fill the tank and they have a driving range that exceeds 300 miles on average. This makes them a little more efficient than most other electric vehicles that are currently available on the market.
Do you need to charge an FCEV?
While still considered an electric vehicle, FCEVs don’t charge like a regular electric vehicle. Instead, they are refilled much like a conventional vehicle with an internal combustion engine. A fuel filler is used to refill the internal tank with hydrogen, meaning a typical FCEV can be refuelled in the same amount of time it would take to refill a regular car.
Things to consider before buying an FCEV:
So if you’re looking to invest in a FCEV, here are some of the main considerations that you need to keep in mind.
Do you have a refuelling station near you?
Whether you have a refuelling station near to you will likely be one of the biggest considerations when buying a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. If it’s a long drive to your closest refuelling station then it may not be the most practical choice of electric vehicle for you.
How much range do you need?
You may be surprised by just how much range you can get out of an FCEV, with around 400 miles of range on average, they are definitely worth considering if range is a big factor for you. In comparison, even most high-end BEVs will struggle to reach 400 miles on a single charge or tank.
Are you concerned about fuel economy?
For fuel economy, a FCEV isn’t the best choice especially when compared to a regular diesel car. It’s roughly 60% the efficiency of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, meaning you’re going to be paying more to drive an FCEV. If the cost of running the vehicle is a concern, then you may want to consider a regular BEV if you want an electric vehicle or even stick with your traditional vehicle for now.
Charging an Electric Vehicle
Getting the best from an EV requires you to charge it properly. But how do you charge an electric vehicle?
Charging an EV
How do I get electric charging at home?
More people are going to need to charge their EV at home. But how do you go about it?
Charging at home
10 Electric Vehicle Myths Busted
We try and debunk some of the key myths surrounding electric cars.
EV MythsCan't find the answer to your question?
Our expert teams are on hand to help with any additional questions you may have!