5 ms·

No more so than a battery. A fuel cell is in fact a battery of sorts, and it's not out of the question that it approaches the efficiency of a conventional batte

by Hypx 6y ago

No more so than a battery. A fuel cell is in fact a battery of sorts, and it's not out of the question that it approaches the efficiency of a conventional battery. It should also be pointed out that the lower weight of a fuel cell powertrain allows you to use less energy during operation. So even if fuel cells don't fully match the efficiency of conventional batteries, they can still use less energy on a final basis.

bryanlarsen 6y ago
Measuring power loss between electricity generation and wheels, current fuel cell cars are 25-35% efficient. Teslas are 90% efficient. (https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127660_battery-electric-or-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vw-lays-out-why-one-is-the-winner https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127660_battery-electri...) A Toyota Mirai weighs 1848kg. A Tesla Model 3 weighs 1612kg.
- Hypx 6y ago
  It's probably closer to 40% and 75% respectively. VW is probably not being totally honest with their numbers. This gap will shrink in the future. The Mirai is overbuilt for what it is. The Hyundai Nexo is 1814-1873 kg despite being an SUV. For reference, the Model Y is 2003 kg.
  - bryanlarsen 6y ago
    The single motor standard range version of the Y would be about 200 kg lighter, and is a bigger vehicle than the Nexo. The motors in the Model 3 are 97% efficient. 90% for the entire system is not a dishonest number
    - Hypx 6y ago
      On the other hand, the Nexo is storing a much larger amount of energy. At 6.3 kg of hydrogen and at 33.3 kWh of usable energy per kg, that's 209.8 kWh. The Y only stores 75 kWh in comparison. Fuel cells are around 60% efficient today. The system efficiency is probably around 55%. This is a number that will increase as fuel cells get more efficient. I believe the gap will eventually close altogether, or at least shrink greatly.

5 ms·

No more so than a battery. A fuel cell is in fact a battery of sorts, and it's not out of the question that it approaches the efficiency of a conventional batte

by Hypx 6y ago

bryanlarsen 6y ago
Measuring power loss between electricity generation and wheels, current fuel cell cars are 25-35% efficient. Teslas are 90% efficient. (https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127660_battery-electric-or-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vw-lays-out-why-one-is-the-winner https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127660_battery-electri...) A Toyota Mirai weighs 1848kg. A Tesla Model 3 weighs 1612kg.
- Hypx 6y ago
  It's probably closer to 40% and 75% respectively. VW is probably not being totally honest with their numbers. This gap will shrink in the future. The Mirai is overbuilt for what it is. The Hyundai Nexo is 1814-1873 kg despite being an SUV. For reference, the Model Y is 2003 kg.
  - bryanlarsen 6y ago
    The single motor standard range version of the Y would be about 200 kg lighter, and is a bigger vehicle than the Nexo. The motors in the Model 3 are 97% efficient. 90% for the entire system is not a dishonest number
    - Hypx 6y ago
      On the other hand, the Nexo is storing a much larger amount of energy. At 6.3 kg of hydrogen and at 33.3 kWh of usable energy per kg, that's 209.8 kWh. The Y only stores 75 kWh in comparison. Fuel cells are around 60% efficient today. The system efficiency is probably around 55%. This is a number that will increase as fuel cells get more efficient. I believe the gap will eventually close altogether, or at least shrink greatly.