Driving an electric car and stopping for a short refuel? Yes, with hydrogen cars like the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, it’s possible. But how does a hydrogen car work? What is a fuel cell system? What are the advantages and challenges of this technology? We’ll answer these questions.

Electric cars offer many benefits for customers and the environment, including lower emissions, reduced noise and a dynamic driving experience. While most people associate electric cars with large batteries and household electricity, transportation experts are hoping for a new technology: a hydrogen engine with zero emissions and fast charging times.

How do hydrogen cars work?

Hydrogen cars are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as electric vehicles. In short, these cars generate electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell, without the need for a large battery.

In these cars, hydrogen and oxygen react in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy that is transferred to an electric motor. The only byproduct of this reaction is water vapor, which is released through the exhaust.

Benefits of hydrogen cars

• No local emissions: Hydrogen cars only produce water vapor.
• Fast refueling time: A full refueling of a BMW iX5 Hydrogen takes only 3 to 4 minutes.
• High range and temperature independence: Like electric cars with large batteries, these cars have a range of about 500 kilometers and their efficiency does not decrease in the cold.

Costs of hydrogen cars

Hydrogen cars are more expensive than electric cars. One reason for this high cost is the use of precious metals such as platinum. As production increases, these costs may decrease.

Sustainability and the environment

If hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources, its environmental impact will be completely clean. However, producing hydrogen from fossil sources will have negative environmental impacts.

Safety in hydrogen vehicles

To prevent uncontrolled hydrogen-oxygen reactions, hydrogen is stored in robust and safe tanks. These tanks have proven their safety in crash tests.

The future of hydrogen cars

BMW believes that hydrogen vehicles can contribute to the development of sustainable transportation alongside electric vehicles. Hydrogen is also expected to be used as a clean energy source in various areas such as heating, electricity and industry.

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