Hydrogen electric vehicles, often called hydrogen fuel cell cars (FCEV), drive in the same way as conventional EVs. They can have one or more electric motors. However, instead of a large battery pack, they have a hydrogen tank that can be filled with gas (or a liquid form of hydrogen) at the same time to fill the internal combustion engine. The hydrogen feeds the fuel cell, which creates electricity when the hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to create water vapor. That gas can be used immediately by the engine or stored in a small battery pack. The battery adds its own oomph to the fuel cell output when more power is needed. It also maintains energy capture with regenerative braking, increasing the efficiency of all power.
READ MORE: What is a hybrid vehicle (or HEV)?
READ MORE: What is a plug-in hybrid electric car (PHEV)?
READ MORE: What is an EV or BEV?
Advantages: Fast refueling capability, zero CO2 emissions from the car, performance, refinement
Cons: Very expensive and very rare, very few places to fill them (yet)
Good for: Businesses, airlines and commercial drivers who cover long distances every day and return to the depot will be the first to benefit from FCEVs. In the future they may be beneficial for heavy duty EV applications, such as trucking, long distance driving and towing. Toyota and Hyundai both believe the hydrogen FCEV is a good fit for Australia.
Examples: Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo