The Hydrogen Hype: A Scam or a Savior?

As the world slowly transitions away from fossil fuels, the debate around hydrogen-powered cars has reached a fever pitch. With only two major manufacturers, Toyota and Hyundai, offering hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), it’s clear that this technology is still in its infancy. But is it worth the hype?

The Efficiency Conundrum

According to Greg Cress, principal director for automotive and e-mobility at Accenture, hydrogen vehicles are less efficient than battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). "When you look at the energy losses in the production of hydrogen versus charging a battery, you see massive differences in efficiency," he said. "For example, you lose about 84% of the energy input on petrol and diesel, meaning only 16% of that energy is used to drive the car. Looking at battery-electric vehicles under the same lens, you get 77% efficiency; with hydrogen, the efficiency output is just 33%."

The Infrastructure Problem

Another major hurdle for hydrogen FCEVs is the lack of infrastructure. "Moving hydrogen around is very expensive and dangerous – since it is a gas, it must be pressurised. It could also leak," said Cress. "In fact, Shell has been closing down its hydrogen stations in California because it can’t see the long-term viability of these distribution networks."

The Niche Market

So, where does this leave hydrogen FCEVs? According to Cress, they may find a niche in large, long-haul trucks along well-known logistics corridors. "In the passenger vehicle market, however, hydrogen cars are going to face the same challenges EVs faced: new infrastructure for refuelling networks will have to be rolled out," he said.

The BMW Experiment

BMW, however, is taking a different approach. The company has partnered with Anglo Platinum and Sasol to trial its iX5 Hydrogen prototype in South Africa. The vehicle uses fuel cells manufactured by Toyota and has a combined 6l capacity. According to BMW’s Hailey Philander, a five-minute fill-up of hydrogen translates into about 500km of range.

The Green Hydrogen Dream

But what about the promise of green hydrogen, sourced from renewable energy and electrolysis? "Southern Africa is seen as a potential green hydrogen hub and, where the infrastructure allows, we could develop and export green hydrogen for the rest of the world," said Philander.

The Verdict

So, is hydrogen the future of transportation? It’s hard to say. While it may have its advantages, the efficiency and infrastructure challenges are significant. For now, it seems that hydrogen FCEVs will remain a niche product, used in specific applications where their unique benefits can be leveraged. But as the technology continues to evolve, it’s possible that we’ll see a more widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the future.