FR A hydrogen vehicle is an electric vehicle.
Battery electric vehicles (BEV) are powered by charging points connected to the electricity grid;
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) convert H2 into electricity on board.
The main difference between an electric vehicle and a hydrogen vehicle is in the way in which they store and use energy. Electric vehicles use batteries to store the electricity, while hydrogen vehicles use fuel cells to produce the electricity, and tanks to store it. Electric vehicles require longer recharging times, while the refueling time for hydrogen vehicles is similar to that of petrol vehicles.
The technologies are complementary.
Using hydrogen for mobility can boost the range (500 to 700 km) and reduce the recharging time (by around 5 minutes for a light vehicle). FCEVs are therefore perfectly suited to intensive and continuous use. BEVs may be used as light vehicles to make short journeys, and may be recharged if there are no limits on time.
Hybrid hydrogen/electric vehicles are available on the market: equipped with both a battery and a fuel cell, they benefit from a recharging system that uses an electric power source with the added advantages of hydrogen.
To find out more about the advantages of H2 for mobility, click here.
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