University study: EV and FCV charging lags fossil fuels

The battle for supremacy between battery electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) shows no sign of abating, although according to researchers from the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, it all comes down to refuelling infrastructure. The report states “...compared with the comparably vast availability of gas and electric refuelling, fuel-cell refuelling is anything but practical.” Furthermore the researchers found that there will be 34,000 battery-charging outlets in the US within the next year, compared to 14 public fuel-cell stations currently operable in only four states. However, interestingly the researchers don’t seem to think either new system can yet beat fossil fuels, stating: “No alternative fuel sources have the energy density, ease of use, and ease of transport as current liquid fossil (i.e., hydrocarbon) fuels…”

For the 2016 model year, there are currently 13 unique electric models available, while there are only two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Toyota

Despite boasting several advantages, including refueling time and overall efficiency, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are loosing badly to battery-powered electric vehicles, (BEVs) a study by the University of Michigan found.

The study, authored by Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak of the university's Transportation Research Institute, concluded that limited infrastructure is likely the largest contributor to the slow pace of growth for FCVs.

In fact, most of the fuel-cell infrastructure that does exist is limited to Los Angeles and San Francisco-Bay areas, according to the website of the California Fuel Cell Partnership. The research also cites a previous study that placed the cost of construction for a hydrogen refueling station at several times what a traditional gasoline station can cost.

But if that infrastructure is in place, hydrogen may better mimic consumers current transportation habits.

Unlike electric vehicles, which can require hours of recharging after expending their range, hydrogen vehicles refuel much like gasoline-powered cars do.

Schoettle and Sivak created hypothetical trips of varying distances in each vehicle type to illustrate how dramatically BEVs are effected by these recharging times, especially over longer distances.

Dragan Radovanovic/Business Insider

Dragan Radovanovic/Business Insider

Dragan Radovanovic/Business Insider

The study also found that hydrogen cars are actually more efficient than BEVs considering the up-stream costs of producing the fuel, yet they remain almost as expensive to operate as gasoline-powered ones.

However, each of these new fuel sources are in some ways compromises from good old-fashioned gasoline,

"No alternative fuel sources have the energy density, ease of use, and ease of transport as current liquid fossil (i.e., hydrocarbon) fuels," the authors wrote.

In other words, if there is a perfect solution, it certainly isn't here yet.