Hydrogen cars could soon be greener than EVs
The European International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has released an update to its report into EV sales in the EU. The report concludes that electric cars emit 73 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions over a vehicle's typical life cycle of 20 years than those powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). This advantage rises to 78 per cent if the cars are powered by renewable electricity.
The ICCT's research also found that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCEVs) running on today's commercially available natural gas-based hydrogen typically output just 26 per cent fewer emissions than ICE equivalents. The surprise comes in the findings that swapping a fuel cell car over to hydrogen created with renewable energy could improve things dramatically.
While sustainable hydrogen of this type isn't widely available yet, the fuel could see FCEVs give off 79 per cent fewer emissions over the course of their lifespans than the ICE equivalent. That is 1 per cent better than the ICCT figure for the advantage of EVs running on renewable electricity. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Natural gas-based hydrogen costs around £12 per kilo at the moment so it's likely that hydrogen produced with electricity from renewable sources would be prohibitively expensive, unless production costs can be lowered.
Now, in case you're scratching your head as to why we're insinuating that EVs or FCEVs generate any emissions at all, it's important to remember that manufacturing an electric or hydrogen car actually produces far greater quantities of carbon dioxide than the equivalent ICE car. The ICCT says EVs, for example, tend to break even after an average of 17,000km (10,500 miles) of driving - making up for their higher emissions in the production phase with lower emissions in the use phase.
The lifetime emissions of EVs are improving. In 2021, the ICCT projected that electric cars would give off 24 per cent more carbon dioxide and equivalent gasses than they do today. This signifies how improvements in technology and decarbonisation of manufacturing are making electric cars an ever-greener proposition compared with ICE vehicles.
If you're wondering, hybrid cars are projected to emit anything between 20 and 30 per cent fewer carbon dioxide equivalents than ICE cars over the course of their lives, with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) being towards the top end of that scale.
It's worth pointing out that the ICCT utilises official manufacturer figures for its analysis, rather than real-life emissions data. This, combined with the fact that not all cars make it to 20 years old, means that figures for FCEVs and EVs may appear somewhat inflated. Nevertheless, this shouldn't override the clear finding that both fuel types offer huge environmental and sustainability benefits compared with internal combustion powertrains.
Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews...
Find a car with the experts Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July Car Deal of the Day: Peugeot 208 GT is a sharp supermini for less than £180 a month
Car Deal of the Day: Peugeot 208 GT is a sharp supermini for less than £180 a month
It may be getting on a bit, but thanks to distinctive styling you really wouldn't know it – Peugeot's 208 is our Deal of the Day for 7 July
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Watchdog names the best and worst UK broadband and phone network providers
Ofcom 's latest report on customer complaints for January to March reveals TalkTalk as the leading source of grievances for broadband and landline services. O2, Three, and iD Mobile were identified as the most complained-about mobile providers, while Virgin Media received the highest number of complaints for pay-TV. Conversely, Plusnet generated the fewest complaints among broadband providers, and EE, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, and Vodafone were the least problematic mobile networks. The regulator publishes these quarterly figures to provide transparency on consumer experiences, assist customers in choosing providers, and encourage service improvements. While overall complaint numbers have stabilised, Ofcom urges providers to enhance customer service, with TalkTalk and Virgin Media O2 acknowledging the need for further improvements.
Telegraph
21 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Drivers likely to shut off EU-mandated ‘safety' features
Drivers are likely to shut off EU-mandated safety features in new cars because they are too distracting, according to new research. Half of in-car driver monitoring systems are so intrusive that they are likely to be turned off, thus defeating the point of having them, What Car? magazine found. Mandated by EU laws, such systems are supposed to prevent drivers from becoming distracted from the road ahead. Cameras and other sensors detect if the driver is not paying attention and issue audio and visual alerts. Although these EU rules do not currently apply to the UK, carmakers include the systems anyway on new vehicles because it is cheaper than redesigning their models to remove them. Under Labour's plans for closer alignment with the EU, the UK could formally adopt these EU car safety rules, which also make it mandatory for private vehicles to be fitted with breathalyser technology. During tests around a 10-mile track, the consumer magazine tested six new cars fitted with EU-compliant anti-distraction technology. It discovered that systems from Chinese carmakers Leapmotor and MG were the worst for issuing false distraction alerts, something it said would encourage drivers to disable them before setting off. In contrast, the magazine's reviewers praised Mazda's anti-distraction technology for working 'seamlessly', and also gave positive feedback about Lexus and Kia. Tests involved driving one lap normally, with the driver keeping their eyes on the road ahead. On the second lap, the driver performed four 'distracted driving' actions: they looked across at the infotainment screen; leaned towards the infotainment screen; looked out of the driver's side window; and looked downwards into their lap. Each distracted move was carried out for three seconds. Leapmotor's C10 electric SUV generated three false audio and visual warnings during the first lap while detecting just two out of the four distracted movements. MG's HS system generated two false alerts on the first lap, although it correctly picked up all four distractions on the second lap. Claire Evans, consumer editor of What Car?, called on safety testing body Euro NCAP to 'penalise' carmakers whose systems generated false alarms, potentially themselves causing a distraction to motorists. 'A well-engineered driver monitoring system is an important safety aid that should help to stop drivers from becoming dangerously distracted by focusing on the infotainment touchscreen for too long, and from breaking the law by using a handheld mobile phone,' said Ms Evans. 'Car safety organisation Euro NCAP also needs to introduce far more stringent testing of these systems, penalising those that are poorly integrated into cars instead of simply rewarding manufacturers for including the technology.' Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'This technology has the potential to save us from ourselves, but car designers have a duty not just to create such safety systems but also reduce the amount of in-car distraction that takes drivers' eyes off the road and hence sets off the alerts. 'Many of us will have spent too much time fiddling with, and focussing on, a touchscreen on the centre console when we should have been looking out of the windscreen at the road ahead. 'Ultimately though, drivers should be aware of their responsibilities without relying on the tech to tell them: don't drink and drive, don't drive while holding a phone, don't get behind the wheel while tired, and let your passenger change the music.'
Auto Express
an hour ago
- Auto Express
New Cupra Leon Shadow Edition is a new moody version of the sporty hatch
Volkswagen and SEAT like to add Black Edition variants to their line-ups pretty regularly, but they're obviously not moody enough for the sportier Cupra brand, because it's just announced the Leon Shadow Edition. Available to order now, the new Shadow Edition is priced from £36,770 in hatchback guise and from £39,335 for the estate. It sits above the V3 trim level, but below the VZ-branded hot hatch offerings. Compared with the V3, the Shadow Edition costs an extra £600 (whether you choose the hatch or estate), and comes with a few exterior tweaks. There are 19-inch alloy wheels in matte black, black side skirts and a black roof spoiler. LED matrix headlights are also standard fit, but buyers will have to pay extra for an upgraded sound system (£600), panoramic sunroof (£995) or towbar (£850). Advertisement - Article continues below Inside, the new edition gets leather bucket seats with copper stitching and 'Moon Slate Metallic'-coloured upholstery, along with Cupra's logo in the headrest. The cabin is identical to the V3's, which means there's a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, lots of copper detailing, heated front seats, a perforated leather steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charger and four USB-C sockets. Even if you don't fancy a Leon, Auto Express has got loads of great deals on Cupras, from the Tavascan to the Terramar, courtesy of the Find A Car service available here . The Shadow Edition comes with the same range of engines as the V1, V2 and V3 trims. The options include the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI with a six-speed manual, the 1.5-litre eTSI mild hybrid with a seven-speed automatic for an extra £2,110, or the 201bhp plug-in hybrid for £5,005 more. Buy a car with Auto Express. Our nationwide dealer network has some fantastic cars on offer right now with new, used and leasing deals to choose from... Find a car with the experts BYD gives up on EV grant, and offers five years of maintenance instead BYD gives up on EV grant, and offers five years of maintenance instead With a Government grant looking unlikely, BYD has announced a new warranty and maintenance scheme to tempt buyers Car Deal of the Day: MGS5 EV for under £200 a month is a true bargain Car Deal of the Day: MGS5 EV for under £200 a month is a true bargain The ZS EV's replacement is an excellent small electric SUV, and our Deal of the Day for August 4 Fiat and Abarth electric cars plummet in price as brand reintroduces 'E-Grant' Fiat and Abarth electric cars plummet in price as brand reintroduces 'E-Grant' Fiat offers sizable discounts as it awaits confirmation that its EVs are eligible for the new Government grant
