How Do Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Work Using Hydrogen?

The electricity which most FCEVs use is generated through a fuel-cell which is hydrogen-powered. This differentiates the vehicle from an EV, which uses a battery to power itself. When a vehicle is designed, the manufacturing company determines the vehicle's potential and power by its electrical motor's dimensions, which receives its power from the embedded fuel cell plus battery combo.

Even though manufacturers could design and create a fuel-cell electric vehicle equipped with a plug-and-play charging option to power up the battery, the majority of such vehicles these days use their built-in battery for re-capitalizing braking power. This provides additional power during short acceleration sessions as well as smooths out the energy delivered from the vehicle's fuel cell with the added option to power off the energy-providing fuel cell in times of low power requirements. The dimensions of the fuel tank determine the total energy which could be stored inside the hydrogen-storing tank. This feature again differs from an EV, whose capacity of battery and power is directly related to its battery's dimensions.

MAIN COMPONENTS PRESENT INSIDE A HYDROGEN-FUEL-CELL POWERED ELECTRIC CAR

Many components are present inside an electric car that derives power from a hydrogen fuel cell. Let's take a closer look:

• Auxiliary Battery – Every electric car is fitted with a low-voltage battery. It is used for providing enough energy to the vehicle for it to start before the power from the traction battery comes up. It also powers other accessories in the car.
• Battery Pack – As the name suggests, the battery pack stores power generative as a result of regenerated braking. It also provides power to the traction motor.
• DC to DC Converter – This converts high voltage DC power to low voltage DC power. It is used for providing energy to accessories and charging up the auxiliary battery.
• Traction Motor – This motor takes energy from the fuel cell as well as the battery pack to power up the wheels.
• Fuel-Cell Stack – It is a collection of separate membrane electrodes which use hydrogen as well as oxygen to fill the tank.
• Fuel Filler – This is a nozzle that connects the fuel dispenser to the vehicle's receptacle and fills up the car's tank.
• Hydrogen Fuel Tank – This tank stores up hydrogen which the fuel cell needs to generate energy.
• Power Controller – This component manages the energy flow provided by other components such as fuel cells as well as a traction battery.
• Thermal Cooling System – This system creates an optimum temperature for several components.
• Electrical Transmission – This system of transmission provides mechanical power to the electric motor, which in turn drives the wheels.

These components provide the required energy to power up an electric car. In a precise and calculated manner, these components work in conjunction to make the car's functioning smooth and flawless.