Electric Cars vs Hydrogen Cars

It’s fair to say that electric cars (EVs) are more popular than ever before.

More and more people are switching to this environmentally friendly option, but did you know that EVs are not the only sustainable choice in the automotive industry?

While not as commonplace as EVs, hydrogen cars are a market that looks set to grow in the future as the UK looks for innovative solutions to meet its commitment to be Net Zero by 2050.

• Video Credit: Electricity? Hydrogen? Synthetic Fuel? What’s The Future? | Top Gear Series 32

In this article, the team at The Windscreen Company will consider electric cars vs hydrogen cars, providing you with all the information you need about both options so you can decide which type is best for you.     

What are hydrogen cars?

While most people are aware of electric cars and how they work, hydrogen cars are a fairly new entry to the UK market. 

Whereas EVs are battery-powered, hydrogen cars are a bit more complex and need to be filled with hydrogen that is stored in a tank at high pressure. Then, the hydrogen is released into a fuel cell and the element’s molecules are split into protons and electrons. Protons are turned into water (the only thing hydrogen cars emit) and the electrons are turned into electricity which gives the vehicle its power. 

Hydrogen cars can then be refuelled at specialist hydrogen filling stations. As it stands, there are only 15 currently in the UK but there are plans for this to be increased. You can learn more about this in our previous blog on the subject.  

Electric cars vs hydrogen cars 

If you want to do your bit for the planet and purchase a more sustainable vehicle, it’s important to know what options are out there. With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy list of pros and cons of electric cars and hydrogen cars to help you decide on what’s best for you.   

Pros of electric cars

Some of the benefits you can expect from electric cars include:

• Environmentally friendly – Due to the fact that they’re battery powered, EVs do not release harmful emissions into the air, therefore reducing pollution and making them more environmentally friendly than traditional fuel vehicles. 

• Growing infrastructure – While not yet perfect, more and more public charging points are being opened to provide people with a place to recharge their electric batteries. 

• Low maintenance – Electric cars don’t have as many moving parts as other vehicles, meaning there is less there to maintain and also a lower chance of faults developing.

• This also results in lower costs as drivers will spend less time taking their car to the garage. 

• More choice – These days, there is so much choice when it comes to electric cars. Almost every major manufacturer has its own range meaning there is something to suit every taste and budget.  

Cons of electric cars

Some of the more negative aspects of electric cars include:

• Limited range – Very few electric cars have a range of more than 300 miles, with the average being somewhere between 100-300. While you are unlikely to be driving this far regularly, it does mean a bit more thought needs to be taken ahead of longer journeys. 

• Hard to dispose of batteries – While most manufacturers offer a battery warranty of at least five years, when you do need a new one they can be hard to dispose of. They need to go to specialist centres which sometimes means having to make a payment. 

• Expensive – While more affordable options have started to enter the market, the initial cost of electric cars remains expensive compared to petrol and diesel alternatives.  

Pros of hydrogen cars

The benefits of owning a hydrogen car include:

• Faster refuelling – Compared to EVs which can take hours to charge up, refilling a hydrogen car is extremely fast and only takes a few minutes. 

• A great range – Hydrogen cars tend to have a bigger range than electric cars when fully charged. 

• Zero emissions – Like EVs, hydrogen cars are extremely good for the environment. The only thing they release is water so you can rest assured you’re behind the wheel of a very environmentally friendly option. 

Cons of hydrogen cars

The negatives to hydrogen cars include:

• Little infrastructure – As mentioned above, there are only 15 hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK meaning unless you live close to one the infrastructure is severely limited. 

• Hard to produce – While hydrogen cars are undoubtedly good for the environment, the initial production of hydrogen can be challenging and sometimes relies on non-renewable resources. 

• Little choice – At the time of writing, there are only two hydrogen car models that you can buy in the UK. These are the Hyundai Nexo SUV and the Toyota Mirai, meaning there is little choice for consumers. Plus, they cost between £50,000-£69,000 so are also pretty expensive.  

Operating across the West Midlands and South East, at The Windscreen Company we provide leading windscreen services to vehicles of every type. This includes a quality electric and hybrid windscreen repair and replacement service that will ensure your vehicle is always in the very best condition. The list of car models we can help is extensive, so get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help. 

The Windscreen Company

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The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.

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