Union Minister to inaugurate pilot project for Hydrogen based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways will be inaugurating a pilot project for Hydrogen based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle(FCEV).

What is a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle(FCEV)?

The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle(FCEV) is a device that uses a source of fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant to create electricity by an electrochemical process. 

Put simply, the fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate an electric current, water being the only byproduct. 

Does FCEV a conventional vehicle or an electric vehicle (EV)?

Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process. But unlike a battery-electricity vehicle, it does not store energy and, instead, relies on a constant supply of fuel and oxygen. In that sense, it may be seen as being similar to a conventional internal combustion engine.

However, unlike combustion engine cars, there are no moving parts in the fuel cell, so they are more efficient and reliable by comparison. Also, there is no combustion on board, in the conventional sense.

Advantages of FCEVs

FCEVs produce much smaller quantities of greenhouse gases and none of the air pollutants that cause health problems.

Fuel cells emit only heat and water as a byproduct and are far more energy-efficient than traditional combustion technologies.

FCEVs do not need to be plugged in for charging, like battery-powered EVs.

There is also a wide availability of resources for producing hydrogen.

Problems associated with FCEV

While FCEVs do not generate gases that contribute to global warming, the process of making hydrogen needs energy — often from fossil fuel sources. 

Also, there are questions of safety, as hydrogen is more explosive than petrol. 

Moreover, these vehicles are also expensive.

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister to inaugurate pilot project for Hydrogen based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.