Why Doesn't Tesla Use Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
2 Answers
Tesla does not use hydrogen fuel cells due to difficulties in collection, high costs, and manufacturing challenges. Here is additional information: 1. How hydrogen fuel cells work: Hydrogen is delivered to the anode plate (negative electrode) of the fuel cell. Under the action of a catalyst (platinum), one electron is separated from the hydrogen atom. The hydrogen ion (proton), which has lost an electron, passes through the proton exchange membrane to reach the cathode plate (positive electrode) of the fuel cell. The electron cannot pass through the proton exchange membrane and can only reach the cathode plate through an external circuit, thereby generating current in the external circuit. After the electron reaches the cathode plate, it recombines with oxygen atoms and hydrogen ions to form water. 2. Power density of hydrogen fuel cells: Power density can be simply understood as the battery's ability to release an extremely large current in a short time (instantaneously). For vehicles, situations like "flooring the accelerator" for overtaking or sudden acceleration, or suddenly climbing a slope, are all "high power density demand" states. However, the physical characteristics of hydrogen fuel cells are high energy density but low power density.
Tesla doesn't pursue hydrogen fuel cells mainly due to technical reasons. Pure electric vehicles are more efficient—just think about the production and transportation process of hydrogen fuel, where energy loss exceeds 60%, while lithium batteries charge directly from the grid with efficiency as high as 90% or more. Tesla has always emphasized cost control, and hydrogen systems, including storage tanks and production equipment, are very expensive. Coupled with the sharp drop in lithium battery prices in recent years, Tesla's own Gigafactory has long achieved large-scale production. Safety is also a factor, as lithium batteries are managed more reliably. In terms of market infrastructure, charging stations have become widespread globally, and Tesla's Supercharger network is very convenient. I think Tesla has invested so much in pure electric technology that there's no reason to switch directions, especially since users have already gotten used to the fast-charging experience. In the future, hydrogen fuel might gain traction in the trucking sector, but passenger vehicles will still be led by pure electric. This reminds me of Tesla's early Roadster innovation—the advantages built step by step shouldn't be casually abandoned.
