The Importance of Both Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

The document examines the distinct advantages of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs), asserting that both are essential to meet climate goals. BEVs are highlighted for their efficiency and use of existing home electricity infrastructure, while HFCEVs are presented as superior for larger vehicles, longer ranges, and drivers without home charging access. The text emphasizes that these technologies are complementary rather than competitive, as they address different consumer needs while both eliminating tailpipe pollution.

• Battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are complementary technologies that both reduce oil consumption and global warming emissions compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles.
• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are highly efficient and convenient for many users because they can be recharged at home; a 2013 UCS and Consumers Union survey found 56 percent of American households have off-street parking with electric power access.
• Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs) are better suited for larger, heavier vehicles like SUVs and trucks, as well as for drivers who lack home recharging capabilities, due to their higher energy storage and faster refueling times.
• HFCEVs offer significant range and fast refueling, with the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell storing up to 5.6 kg of hydrogen (approximately 113 kWh of electricity), which is more than the 85 kWh capacity of the Tesla Model S.
• The adoption of both BEVs and HFCEVs is critical for meeting climate targets; California Air Resources Board analysis suggests most new personal vehicles must be one of these types by 2040 to achieve an 80 percent reduction in climate emissions below 1990 levels by 2050.
• Hydrogen refueling infrastructure is currently limited and concentrated in California, with over 50 stations expected to be operational by the end of 2015.
• The environmental benefit of both technologies increases when renewable energy sources are used to produce the electricity or hydrogen fuel.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2014). The Importance of Both Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2014/11/importance-bev-hfcev-fact-sheet.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. The Importance of Both Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. 2014. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2014/11/importance-bev-hfcev-fact-sheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=The Importance of Both Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles |date=November 2014 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2014/11/importance-bev-hfcev-fact-sheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2014importance, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{The Importance of Both Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2014}, month = nov, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2014/11/importance-bev-hfcev-fact-sheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }