Toyota’s hydrogen engine vs electric cars: Which one wins?
These are the key differences between Toyota’s hydrogen engine and electric cars. Which one do you think is the future of clean transportation?
As the years pass, technology does so too, and in an industry as profitable as the automobile one, it is important to know which options accommodate better to your preferences.
Around this conversation, 2 new technologies have been forwarded as the best eco-friendly options: hydrogen fuel cells and electric batteries. Which leads us to the question: Toyota’s hydrogen engine vs electric cars—Which one wins?
Toyota’s hydrogen engine
Toyota stated their goal with this hydrogen engine was a "zero emission solution globally". But what does a hydrogen engine entail? While the main difference would be the fact that they use hydrogen gas as the fuel source instead of gasoline or diesel; it requires specialized injection and ignition systems to handle hydrogen's unique combustion characteristics.
According to them, the hydrogen combustion offers key benefits such as:
- Faster refueling: Unlike an electric vehicle, hydrogen vehicles do not take several hours to be completely ready, as they can be refueled in just a few minutes.
- Less need of lithium and nickel: Toyota's hydrogen engine has less need for elements in limited supply, such as lithium and nickel.
- Less environmental impact: Hydrogen combustion produces water vapor for the most part, which is a better eco-friendly alternative than fossil fuels.
- Lower cost: As it is less dependent on rare metals, hydrogen engines could offer a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to EVs.
Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) as a definition, are vehicles powered by electricity instead of diesel or gasoline. Instead, they use an electric motor with a rechargeable battery. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are 2 main types of EV's: battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which also have an internal combustion engine.
- Less greenhouse emissions: Both Electric and hybrid vehicles have significant fewer emissions over conventional vehicles. While the number may vary depending on the model or type of hybrid power system, it is still less than a diesel fueled car.
- Longer battery life: While battery life will wear out eventually, batteries for EVs are designed to last longer than your average car.
- Lower costs: EVs are generally lower than for similar conventional vehicles. However, purchase prices can be higher.
