Electrons to Go: Electrochemistry and the Future of the Automobile

Electrification of the automobile provides pathways to sustaining freedom of personal mobility in the face of environmental imperatives, increasing demand for cars in the developing world, and limitations in the supply of easily-recoverable petroleum. This paper weighs the pros and cons of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) vs. lithium-based battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as sustainable long-term solutions. BEVs can make efficient use of renewably-sourced electricity but face persistent shortfalls in range, speed of recharge, infrastructure for rapid recharge, and operability over climatic extremes. FCEVs can provide the full function expected of automobiles and light trucks today. They can meet range requirements, can be rapidly refueled, and can operate well at cold temperatures. However, they make relatively inefficient use of renewably-sourced electricity and require the implementation of a hydrogen infrastructure. Both systems still face cost challenges. Research directions and prospects for these two technologies are outlined.