The Future of Mobility: Embracing Electric and Hydrogen Technologies in Automotive

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with the central conversation today focused on the transition from hydrocarbon-based fuels to sustainable, green energy sources for powering vehicles. Traditionally, petrol (gasoline) and diesel have served as the primary fuels for internal combustion engine vehicles. However, growing awareness of their environmental and economic drawbacks is accelerating the push toward cleaner alternatives. The disadvantages of petrol and diesel are substantial and include the following:

Environmental Degradation

1.     Greenhouse emissions

·        Gasoline and diesel emit large amounts of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), a major contributor to climate change.

·        Diesel also produces black carbon (soot), which accelerates warming.

2.     Air Pollution

·        Diesel emits nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) — linked to asthma, heart disease, and cancer.

·        Gasoline emits hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, which contribute to smog and harm health.

3.     Oil extraction and refining

·        Causes habitat destruction, oil spills, and water contamination.

·        Energy-intensive process with its own carbon footprint.

Technical and Economic Disadvantages

1.      Finite resource; Petroleum is non-renewable, resources are depleting over time.

2.      Volatile pricing- Gasoline and diesel prices fluctuate due to geopolitics, oil supply, and demand.

3.      Low energy efficiency-Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are much less efficient than electric motors — only ~20–30% of fuel energy is used to move the vehicle.

4.      Maintenance costs- ICEs have more moving parts than electric motors, leading to higher maintenance needs (e.g., oil changes, exhaust systems, spark plugs).

Practical Disadvantages

1.      Noise and Vibration- Gasoline and especially diesel engines are noisier than electric alternatives.

2.      Urban restrictions- Some cities are banning or taxing older gasoline and diesel vehicles due to pollution concerns.

3.      Health risks- Long-term exposure to vehicle exhaust can cause serious health issues, especially in densely populated areas.

To drive the transition toward green energy, both established automotive giants and innovative startups have made substantial investments in the development of electric vehicles (EVs). At the heart of this transformation lies lithium-ion battery technology, which is poised to unlock the full potential of EVs by enabling longer driving ranges and significantly reducing charging times. These two factors; range and charging speed, are likely to be the most critical considerations for consumers when selecting their preferred EV models.

While Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) currently lead the charge in the clean mobility movement, manufacturers are also exploring alternative energy solutions such as Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). Together, these technologies fall under the broader category of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), a term that encompasses all emerging clean propulsion systems expected to shape the automotive landscape for the coming century.

Although these new technologies promise to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, it is important to recognize that each solution comes with its own set of challenges. Hydrogen, for example, produces only water vapor at the tailpipe, making it clean in use, but its production methods, particularly when derived from fossil fuels, can have a negative environmental footprint.

The table below offers a side-by-side comparison of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, Battery Electric Vehicles, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles, outlining their respective advantages and limitations.