What Are Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars & How Do They Work?

The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles are a kind of electric vehicle that converts series of chemical reactions into electricity to start the electric motor. These vehicles produce electricity by using a fuel cell which is powered by hydrogen, other than taking electricity through the battery. The power of the vehicle depends on the size of the motor that receives combined energy from the battery and fuel cell.

These cars use the battery for recovering the braking energy and also provide extra power to smoothen out the power generated from the fuel cell. The energy stored depends on the size of the hydrogen fuel tank. There is a difference between normal electric cells and this fuel cell car as the energy and power are related to the battery’s size. These hydrogen cars have some key features to be considered.

• Hydrogen Fuel Tank

This fuel tank is used to store the hydrogen gas in the vehicle until the fuel cell requires it. 

• Thermal Cooling System

This cooling system is used to maintain the perfect temperature range on the electric motor, fuel cell, power electronics, and other heating components.

• Energy Controller

A power electronics controller is used to control maintain electrical energy flow that is discharged by the fuel cell and traction battery. Also, helps in controlling the electric traction motor speed.

• Fuel Cell Stack

The electrodes are assembled into an individual membrane that uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.

• Electric Traction Motor

This motor makes the vehicle’s wheels run with energy generated from the fuel cell and stack of traction batteries. Other vehicles performing both drive and regeneration functions use motor generators.

• Electric Transmission

This transmits mechanical power from the electric traction helping to drive the wheels.

• Auxiliary battery

In these electric vehicles, auxiliary batteries are needed to generate the electricity to start the car and supply energy to vehicle accessories.

How does Hydrogen Fuel Cell work?

A hydrogen fuel cell works on the electrolysis method which consists of a negatively charged cathode positively charged anode with a platinum catalyst that helps in fastening the chemical reaction and produces electric energy, heat energy, and H20. A pack of hydrogen fuel cells is installed inside the car to make sure enough amount of energy is supplied to the car.

Once the hydrogen is pumped into the storage high-pressure cylinder in the car. Some safety concerns are raised like stacking of this highly flammable gas cylinder inside the car might cause dangerous disaster. Anyhow, these cars have to pass rigorous tests before hitting the markets.