Electrolysis is at least 25% less as efficient than just storing the electricity in battery’s as it produces both oxygen and hydrogen and then you need to spend some more of the power compressing it…. Even before you get to transporting it. Otherwise we would just have electrolytes plants all over already.
CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 2 months ago
The relative inefficiency is okay because it still produces hydrogen, which is better for transport applications than electricity in batteries. Plus, oxygen is a useful byproduct, which everyone seems to ignore.
As for the lack of hydrogen infrastructure, I think that has to do with it not getting as much support from the government. I couldn’t find a specific comparison, but the Wikipedia lists many more US programs supporting plug-in electric vehicles than ones supporting fuel cell vehicles. Apparently, Obama’s energy secretary, Steven Chu, was very anti-hydrogen and that’s just how it went.
AlternateRoute@lemmy.ca 2 months ago
Likely has more to do with the cost of 1-2million per station vs 250,000 to 500,000 for a typical EV fast charging station
CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 2 months ago
That’s not such a bargain considering that it takes so long to charge a BEV. More fast chargers are needed to match the capacity of a hydrogen dispenser. I think the uneven subsidies and hype over the years have just lead to more BEV customers.