The following images show a side by side comparison of different battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles on the market today. The statistics are taken directly off the company’s website and are the statistics for the newest model available.
This, of course, is an extreme oversimplification of a more complex issue. This chart does not compare safety ratings, software quality, availability of refueling stations, and other important factors. This is simply for educational purposes to inform individuals about the general differences between the types of vehicles. Highlighted boxes mean the vehicle fared best out of all the vehicles we have compared, both battery and fuel cell.
The Results
As you can see, fuel cell vehicles boast a longer driving range and superior refueling times. However, higher end models of electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S have incredible torque, horsepower, 0 to 60 times, and the infrastructure is much cheaper. The Model S also has the highest safety rating in America and features an autopilot mode for highway driving, two features which were not addressed in the charts.
The Nissan Leaf is also the cheapest vehicle available, but while the price tag on this vehicle is tempting, range, horsepower, and torque are considerably lower than any of the other models.
Of course, we must keep in mind that some of these features are unnecessary. The Leaf will get you from point A to point B just like the Model S. The Model S will just do so in a considerably more flashy (and powerful) manner.
Fuel cell vehicles, unfortunately, can’t be a significant part of the discussion at this point in time. They are only sold or leased in California right now because that is the only state with refueling stations. If they prove to be popular, hopefully companies will seek to expand both sales and infrastructure.
Sources used for this post:
[1] “Toyota Mirai – The Turning Point,” Toyota. [Online]. Available at: https://ssl.toyota.com/mirai/fcv.html. [Accessed: 07-Mar-2016].
[2] “Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell,” Hyundai. [Online]. Available at: https://www.hyundaiusa.com/tucsonfuelcell. [Accessed: 07-Mar-2016].
[3] “Nissan LEAF Electric Car: 100% Electric. 100% Fun.,” Nissan USA. [Online]. Available at: http://www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/. [Accessed: 07-Mar-2016].
[4] “Tesla Motors,” Tesla Motors. [Online]. Available at: https://www.teslamotors.com/. [Accessed: 07-Mar-2016].
Electric Versus Fuel Cell Vehicles 