Fuel cells versus LI batteries is much heat, a lot of gas

Fuel cells versus LI batteries is much heat, a lot of gas

News:

Article presents the debate between lithium-ion (LI) battery and the hydrogen fuel cell, the two important sources of power to drive the motor in an electric vehicle (EV).

Important Facts:

Why there is debate over source of power:

• To meet the reduction target which was decided during the Paris climate deal, the world requires to end the hegemony of Internal Combustion engine in the next decade and replace it with electric vehicles.
• There are currently two important sources of power to drive the motor in an electric vehicle (EV).
  • The first is a lithium-ion (LI) battery – LI is widely known and is the source of EV power for the Tesla range of cars (Hybrid Cars)
  • Second a hydrogen fuel cell – Hydrogen power is available in a few cars like the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda Clarity.
• Prevailing debate is over the use of source of power in term of energy efficiency and the GHG impact to drive the electric vehicles in future.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells:

• Fuel cells use an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, catalyzed by platinum, to produce energy.
• Advantage of Fuel Cell:
  • Electricity produced from renewable sources.
  • Production of energy are cheap comparatively.
  • Energy so produced will leave no impact on environment as exhaust is the combination product—water.
• Challenges and Disadvantage:
  • The challenge is to produce hydrogen in an energy-efficient manner, transport it to distribution points and store it in gaseous or liquid form in a car.
  • Hydrogen is abundant and can be made from water, but process is expensive as it is created through either electrolysis or cracking hydrocarbon and can create pollution.
  • Electrolysis involves splitting water into its constituent components of hydrogen and oxygen, an inefficient process that takes an enormous amount of energy (much less efficient than creating electricity using batteries)
  • Cracking hydrocarbons involves making hydrogen from non-renewable natural gas in a process that creates enormous CO2 emissions

About Lithium-Ion Batteries:

• In Lithium-ion batteries, the chemical energy is converted electric energy.
• Advantage:
  • Batteries are rechargeable (e.g. batteries used in phones)
  • Large amount of energy can be stored into a relatively small space.
  • They can provide the instant torque to the electric motor.
• Disadvantages:
  • Long charging time.
  • Batteries are also expensive.
  • Non-Availability of quick-charge stations.

Challenges for India:

• India largely dependent on imported energy.
• Lack of research and development in India on either EVs or Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
• India does not provide a meaningful subsidy for either EVs or FCEVs.
• The government has proposed an increased subsidy under a scheme called Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME II).
• The aggregate budget is said to be ₹5,500 crores but exactly how that will apply to individual vehicles is not clear and the bill has not yet been passed in Parliament.

Way Forward:

• India must take a concrete steps towards incentivizing both EVs and FCEVs.
• Intervention is required in research and development under Indian conditions with a particular focus on affordability.