On a sunny fall day last week, my Clean Vehicles colleagues and I had the opportunity to test drive the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell – an electric vehicle that runs on electricity produced from hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) may not be as well-known as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) like the Nissan LEAF, or plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) like the Chevy Volt, but they are a promising solution to our oil use, and are beginning to hit the road in California.
The
main difference between FCEVs and the other types of EVs is that instead of
storing electricity in a battery, FCEVs generate electricity via a fuel cell
that combines oxygen from the air with hydrogen stored in on-board hydrogen
tanks. One major advantage of FCEVs is that they can be used and refueled like
a conventional vehicle; the Tucson
Fuel Cell, for example, can travel about 265 miles on a full tank of hydrogen
that can be refilled in mere minutes. You can find additional background on the
difference between the various types of EVs here and, for a deeper dive into
the particulars of FCEV technology, check out this post by my colleague Dave.
The fuel cell driving experience
What
was it like to drive a FCEV? Exceedingly normal. The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell accelerated,
braked, cornered, and cruised almost exactly like a conventional vehicle. The
only real difference was that the engine was nearly silent while operating, and
while it provided some additional power off the line due to its electric motor,
there’s no way to rev the engine at a red
light to show you’re ready to race.
The
only sounds you could hear in the cabin were from the wheels hitting the
pavement and the typical cascade of honking from drivers attempting to navigate
through traffic on K Street in the heart of downtown DC. I expected that
removing my foot from the accelerator would cause the vehicle to abruptly slow
down due to the regenerative braking, but the Tucson rolled smoothly even
when my foot was off the pedals. The Tucson was
also quite roomy, comfortably fitting five people in the cabin, and was well
equipped with amenities that drivers have come to expect like Bluetooth
connectivity, power locks and windows, and the cargo space of a compact SUV.
Overall, it was a great test driving experience, and I’m excited to see this
technology take off across the U.S.
What’s next for fuel cell vehicles
Perhaps
the most promising aspect about fuel cell technology (aside from the fact that
FCEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions) is that adding energy storage, and
therefore adding range, only requires a larger hydrogen tank. This means the
fuel cell technology could enable the electrification of bigger SUV-type
vehicles — one of the most popular classes of vehicles in the U.S. — and for
medium- or heavy-duty trucks. Of course, in order to use a FCEV, you need somewhere
to fill up with hydrogen, and California is leading the way in installing
hydrogen stations. California expects to have 54 hydrogen stations open to the
public by the end of next year and automakers like Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda
are all working to introduce FCEVs to select markets in the next few years.
Drivers are already leasing the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell in
California, and Toyota is “seeking drivers to drive change” by leasing their
FCEV in 2015.
FCEVs are part of our plan to reduce oil use
Battery
electric, fuel cell electric, and more efficient gasoline vehicles have often
been portrayed as competitors, but these technologies are actually
complementary. Plug-in electrics can take advantage of the existing electric
infrastructure and smaller electric cars can be especially efficient and
cost-effective for urban dwellers or commuters. FCEVs are a good option for
larger vehicles, longer driving distances, and for drivers without a spot to
recharge. And since gasoline-powered vehicles will be continue to be sold in
the coming years, continuing to increase the fuel efficiency of gasoline-only
conventional vehicles will also play a key role in transformation
transportation in the U.S. All of these technologies are part of our strategy
to cut our nation’s projected oil use in half and now with the imminent arrival
of FCEVs, many of us will soon have more clean vehicles options to choose from
at the dealership.
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