5.7M views · Jul 27, 2018 · 14:58 · 5 HN recommenders · 8 mentions · discussed 2018–2021
Real Engineering examines the efficiency of hydrogen as an energy carrier. It follows production, storage and fuel cell conversion losses and compares hydrogen cars with battery electric vehicles.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN links it in hydrogen threads as a clear breakdown of why compounded inefficiencies make hydrogen a poor fit for cars, though one commenter calls it outdated.
“This video gives a good breakdown on how the inefficiencies in hydrogen fuel cell based cars add up.”HN comment, 2021
“Storing energy as hydrogen is much less efficient than storing energy in batteries.”
Explains why hydrogen storage is less efficient than batteries
Storing energy as hydrogen is much less efficient than storing energy in batteries. The channel Real Engineering explains: this video ; link
“This is a good video on the subject”
Good video on hydrogen being poor for cars
I am sorry you are so misinformed. Lithium is a common abundant resource and battery packs are easily recycled but more importantly there is a financial incentive to do so. Manufacturing technology for cells is improving rapidly. Much faster than the pace of innovation in Hydrogen fuel cells. Most are focusing on reducing Cobalt and other techniques to reduce or eliminate chemicals and energy used in wet electrode processes. Hydrogen is pretty much DOA for cars. This is a good video on the subject: this video
“this video had a good overview of the various production methods, including on-site at the fuel station”
Overview of hydrogen production methods including on-site
Now I'm curious how Hyundai or the stations actually produce the hydrogen fuel. Edit: this video had a good overview of the various production methods, including on-site at the fuel station this video
“Nice summary as for cars fuel application here”
Summary of hydrogen as car fuel
Hydrogen is not a good (at the moment at least) source of energy or fuel for cars or industry (chemically speaking, obviously much better together with Deuterium and Tritium for fission, though we are still from such a technology). Steam reforming, which is currently the most common way of hydrogen production, uses natural gas and water and produces plenty of CO2 [1]. Nice summary as for cars fuel application here [2]. [1] link [2] this video
“This video gives a good breakdown on how the inefficiencies in hydrogen fuel cell based cars add up.”
Breakdown of how hydrogen fuel cell car inefficiencies add up
this video This video gives a good breakdown on how the inefficiencies in hydrogen fuel cell based cars add up. The best case scenario for hydrogen based land transport I can think of is probably in the trucking industry where engine weight, range and refuelling time are important factors
“it's really more complex than all electric it seems”
Says hydrogen is more complex than all-electric
This vid this video kinda says the same I like the H2 idea but it's really more complex than all electric it seems. And also late to the game. ps: to be fair, electric batteries and cars required a lot of faith to evolve and progress... who knows if someone won't come with a few innovations for H2 storage and distribution.
“about 25%, compared to about 65% for typical existing battery vehicles”
Compares hydrogen fuel cell and battery vehicle efficiency
> Finally, electric cars charge at ~96% efficiency, while hydrogen is something like 40%. >> This claim has little substance and credibility. The efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles versus battery vehicles is considered in some detail in this video [1]. The conclusion [2] is that, in the best case, the energy efficiency from power generation to road for existing or near future hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is about 25%, compared to about 65% for typical existing battery vehicles. [1] this video [2] this video
“It's a nonsense youtube video, citing claims that are a decade out of date.”
link Li-ion batteries are very poorly recycled if at all. There is poor financial incentive to recycle batteries, and in fact you lose more money than you get back for many components. Pace of hydrogen fuel cell innovation is moving at warp speed: link We could see FCEVs no more expensive than ICEVs. > Hydrogen is pretty much DOA for cars. This is a good video on the subject: this video It's a nonsense youtube video, citing claims that are a decade out of date.
