Comparisons of fuel cells and batteries

• Advantages of using fuel cells over batteries:

  • Fuel cells don't produce as many pollutants as other fuels - Electrical vehicles don't produce many pollutants but batteries are more polluting to dispose of ( made from highly toxic metal)
  • Batteries in electric vehicles have limit to recharging before replacing
  • Batteries more expensive to make than fuel cells
  • Batteries store less energy than fuel cells - need to be recharged more often
• Disadvantages of using fuel cells over batteries:

  • Hydrogen is gas, needs more storing space than battery
  • Hydrogen is explosive when mixed with air, hard to store safely
  • Hydrogen fuel made from hydrocarbons (fossil fuels), electrolysis - electricity from fossil fuels