Two vehicles that are supposed to turn the heads of all environmentalists, but which also face a number of criticisms from all sides. Whatever the case, the internal combustion car, whether we like it or not, is destined to disappear, and it is urgent to find a credible replacement. Which of the electric car or the hydrogen car wins the duel for the most credible candidate to replace the internal combustion car?
The electric car
Long presented as the best, even the only alternative to the internal combustion car, the electric car now faces two camps, each with strong arguments. On one side, those who are fiercely opposed to this solution, because they consider that, taking into account the entire life cycle of the vehicle, it is no less polluting than the internal combustion car. On the other, those who argue that enormous progress has been made and that it is not over, and that there is an urgent need to find a solution to do without oil.
One of the problems is the manufacturing and recycling of batteries, the premature wear of tires, and the resulting emission of fine particles. The old argument questioning autonomy is increasingly struggling to find an echo, first because autonomy is greater today, but also and above all because people are doing fewer and fewer long journeys and the autonomy offered by current vehicles largely allows for commuting and shopping.
What, however, continues to be a problem is the method of electricity production. Nuclear power plants in France, coal-fired power plants in Europe – in terms of ecology, we can do better. In the age of eco-design, it is difficult to speak up when there are so many flaws to correct. Yet, it is the solution chosen by various leaders and governments to carry out the ecological transition. It is therefore urgent that the electric car can truly establish itself as a reliable and more ecological vehicle.
The hydrogen car
The hydrogen car has the advantage of emitting only water. Of course, the consumption of hydrogen as an energy source causes a temperature increase around the vehicle, but no more than with other motorized vehicles. From this point of view, ecologically, it is excellent. The only problem with the hydrogen car is fuel production. The precious gas is not easy to produce or transport. This represents a challenge to be overcome to allow the deployment of this technology. As with electric vehicles, batteries and fuel cells also represent factors for improvement, but they are less important. Indeed, it is hydrogen that produces electricity.
Currently, the main obstacle to the development of this technology is undoubtedly the difficulty in producing the fuel. This is really unfortunate, because it is the best alternative from an ecological point of view. With better autonomy than the electric car, emitting fewer fine particles, its autonomy is not affected by the cold, unlike lithium batteries. The only card up the sleeve of the electric car is the possibility of charging it at home.
Due to a lack of infrastructure, it is undeniable that the electric car emerges victorious from this duel. However, much effort remains to be made by research and development engineers in the automotive sector. The environmental impact of batteries must be drastically reduced, cars with significant autonomy must emerge, and in parallel, electricity production methods must become 100% clean.