RE: H2 independent advisory group6 Feb 2022 20:18
While many of these advisory groups have good ideas there is persistent negativity toward use of HFCV, particularly in cars. The main argument being the energy losses incurred by hydrogen compression and re-conversion to electricity within the fuel cell. Even though HFCV are much more efficient than ICE vehicles, this group and others like it seem to omit analysis of the 'costs' of the battery in their assessments. They bypass the 'cost' of the sizeable battery market that is required to sustain battery usage on such a large scale. The cost is not solely financial, but the environmental impact of the whole supply chain from mining, manufacture, charging infrastructure (grid upgrades + "clutter") through to recycling - if that will be possible. It is conceivable that renewable energy will soon exceed that from conventional fuels, so the efficiency issue becomes less important anyway. I found one study which address this issue: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/de/documents/news/2019/ISE_LCA-BEV-FCEV-Results.pdf
concluding:
Higher efficiency of battery electric vehicle cannot offset higher GHG emissions during manufacturing phase
? Hydrogen supply by wind electricity ? Path with lowest GHG emissions
? Time horizon 2030-2040
? For similar ranges, fuel cell electric vehicles have lower GHG emissions
than battery electric vehicles if both vehicles use renewable electricity
Any more evidence?
I wonder if some of the 'advice' is supported by the battery industry lobby...
I would prefer an HFCV and treat refuelling much as now across UK & beyond, but there is a much more serious issue: LOWER GHG emissions!
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