Efficiency Potentials of Fuel Cell Propulsion Systems

A clear transition from carbon-based energy sources and energy carriers towards renewable and carbon-free energy carriers is necessary in order to meet the climate goals set in the Climate Change Conference in Paris 2015. Hence, the consistent decarbonisation of all sectors of our economy is mandatory, e.g. in mobility and transport, for households and in industry. Electricity and hydrogen are the only two energy carriers that can be produced and used in an emission-free cycle. Particularly in mobility and road transport, battery electric vehicles for short range and fuel cells electric vehicles for long range and fast refuelling are offering the possibility for a complete decarbonisation. When high driving range is required, fuel cell vehicles achieve lower costs at high production volume compared to battery electric vehicles. Moreover, fuel cell vehicles feature significant advantages regarding rare resources and recycling. However, high improvement potentials especially concerning overall efficiency, costs, industrialisation, materials etc. are still existing.