Abstract

This research is based on a comprehensive exploration of the impact of hydrogen-powered vehicles on the environment and its potential to transform the automotive industry. It will examine the role of these vehicles in promoting clean energy initiatives, overcoming potential challenges, and predicting their possible sustainability in the long run. Furthermore, this research will highlight the importance of securing data collected and consumer privacy. Timely addressing the possible cyber threats is crucial for the long-term adoption of technology, as new technologies bring newer threats with them. This is academic-based research where different articles and past research will deeply be analyzed to formulate informed decisions regarding the research questions. Document analysis and case studies are the two main research approaches that will be used to collect data regarding the technical aspects of electric, hydrogen, and gasoline vehicles. Identifying social, environmental, and economic implications associated with hydrogen cars, and examining the limitations to integration in the transportation industry. The paper provides valuable insights that will lead the transportation industry toward a cleaner, more efficient, and secure future for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Keywords: Hydrogen, Hydrogen-powered vehicles, clean energy, cyber threats, consumer privacy

Chapter 5: Conclusion

Summary of the Results

The research was conducted to assess how capable FCEVs are, and can it compete with the new EVs and experienced GVs. The assessment was done by comparing the economic, environmental, technological, and infrastructural aspects of FCEVs and identified their strengths and weaknesses in comparison with the well-settled EV and GV technologies. While evaluating the data and extracting the research author found that there is a long distance that FCEVs have to travel before integrating into the automobile industry.

First makers of FCEVs have to spend a great deal of time marketing the project and explaining what are FCEVs, how it is different than EVs, environmental benefits, and incentives offered by makers as well as state and federal government. The side-by-side analysis done by the researcher compared the Toyota Mirai, Tesla Model S 40, and Veloster Tubo with similar horsepower. The author found that the Tesla Model S 40 is notably an ideal fuel-efficient vehicle whereas in a fuel cost comparison, electric cars were found way cheaper than both FCEVs and GVs. According to Hydrogen Insight, electricity is about 14 times cheaper than hydrogen after the price hike in 2023 (Leigh Collins, 2023).

As per the technological aspect, there is a long never-ending debate where some believe that the concept sounds good but is not real. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla believes that hydrogen cars have no future in the automotive industry and referred it as “Fool cells” whereas people like Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, and Anna Shpitsberg, who is deputy assistant secretary for energy transformation at the U.S. Department of State believes that there is a need for hydrogen cars and it can be a game changer.

As per the economic aspect, hydrogen vehicles are not the ideal choice to make. As discussed in the data results, EVs are expensive in terms of upfront cost but ideal in terms of fuel efficiency. The author compared the Tesla Model S40 with the Toyota Mirai and Veloster Turbo, where the Model S40 offers 114 mpg (equivalent) whereas, the Mirai offers 76 mpg and the Hyundai Veloster Tubo offers 27 mpg. In price comparison, hydrogen is $36 per kg while, electricity is $0.16 per kWh and $3.33 per gallon. Hence, EVs are considered to offer lower everyday costs for their customers.

As per the environmental aspect, FCEVs are zero tailpipe emission transportation, whereas they release more greenhouse gases in hydrogen production than producing electricity. Today, 92% of hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels which will negatively impact the environment if released in large amounts. Therefore, various studies believe that FCEVs cannot be considered an eco-friendly alternative until it use green hydrogen.

As per the infrastructural aspect, hydrogen is not widely accessible to FCEV customers. They believe that most of the refueling stations are overcrowded and there is a long wait time, some believe that stations face a shortage of hydrogen or some are closed for maintenance purposes. Therefore, it is very hard to motivate more people to purchase FCEVs when the current customers are going through various difficulties. Biden’s $7 billion program to improve the infrastructure of hydrogen is a good initiative and FCEVs are in high need of these types of projects for its long-term sustainability. On the other hand, makers should also consider improving the cybersecurity, and environmental friendliness of their batteries for its growth in the automotive industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has given important bits of knowledge into the capability of FCEVs as a suitable option in contrast to conventional vehicles and electric vehicles. This highlights the exceptional benefits and weaknesses of FCEVs, particularly their environmental impact, affordability, and specialized availability. The success of FCEVs in China and California has provided opportunities for automobile businesses to invest more in the betterment of technology.

The author selected a quantitative approach to collect and evaluate data from existing resources available about the topic. Information regarding economic, environmental, technical, technological, and infrastructural aspects of FCEVs was extracted in this study. This research found that hydrogen cars are going through a tough time despite of exceptional concept. Various studies believe that expensive hydrogen is one of the major reasons for the hike in FCEVs’ affordability. Public-private partnership is required to overcome these issues, where policies can be made with incentives to motivate businesses to produce green hydrogen with minimal cost.

Secondly, the hydrogen production phase is the only environmental drawback for FCEVs, as 92% is produced using steam methane reforming which is known as ‘gray hydrogen’. Many researchers believe FCEVs cannot be considered a green alternative as large amounts of greenhouse emissions are released in the production phase. Therefore, producing a larger amount of green hydrogen is the only solution for FCEVs to be categorized as end-to-end environmentally friendly. It seeks attention and investment to deploy the system to produce green hydrogen.

Thirdly, the researcher has examined past studies comparing technical and technological advancements with EVs and GVs. FCEVs are comparatively a newer concept that has onboard powerplants that generate electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. This provides an extended range for customers as it can go 300 plus miles on the fuel tank of hydrogen. Limited range has always been a deal breaker for EVs and FCEV has provided a solution by overcoming this gap.

Fourthly, after analyzing studies, articles, and expert interviews it is found that sufficient infrastructure is the key to the success of hydrogen vehicles. Today there are about 59 hydrogen refueling stations available in the US, out of which the majority of them are limited to California state. In comparison, about 65,000 EV recharge stations and 168,000 gas stations are available in the US. Hydrogen’s infrastructural weakness is not limited to refueling stations only, it is currently facing limitations in production, storage, and delivery.

Lastly, cyber and privacy breaches are also concerning for EVs and FCEVs. EVs have been facing cyber events since their existence in the automobile industry as various experts rectified the cyber weaknesses. The makers of FCEVs should focus on overcoming the cyber weaknesses neglected by EVs.