Controversy Surrounds Hydrogen-Powered Cars at Paris Olympics: 120 Scientists Call for Battery-Electric Alternatives
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/1st August 2024
The Paris Olympics has recently attracted attention for its decision to showcase 500 hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai vehicles, intended to demonstrate the event’s commitment to sustainability. However, this choice has sparked controversy, as a coalition of 120 scientists from the U.S. and the U.K. has expressed significant objections. In an open letter, the scientists have urged the organizers to opt for battery-electric vehicles instead, highlighting several concerns about hydrogen technology.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, such as the Toyota Mirai, promise zero tailpipe emissions, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. They can be refueled quickly, which seems advantageous in high-demand scenarios like the Olympics. Despite these benefits, the scientists’ concerns revolve around the overall sustainability and efficiency of hydrogen technology compared to battery-electric alternatives.
The debate over hydrogen’s role in the future of transportation is heated and multifaceted. Proponents argue that hydrogen could be a viable decarbonized energy source, with a refueling infrastructure akin to traditional combustion engines. The European Union, recognizing hydrogen’s potential, has invested €2.2 billion in the sector as recently as the spring of 2024. Yet, the practicalities of hydrogen use reveal significant challenges.
The Toyota Mirai, while the best-selling hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, has seen limited market penetration, with only about 22,000 units sold globally by the end of 2022. Sales figures for 2023 and the first half of 2024 have been modest compared to the Tesla Model Y, which sold 1.2 million units in 2023 alone. This stark contrast underscores the challenges hydrogen vehicles face in gaining widespread adoption.
One of the critical issues with hydrogen fuel cell technology is its reliance on “green” hydrogen—hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources. Currently, only about 1% of hydrogen globally is green; the majority is produced from fossil fuels, resulting in significant CO2 emissions. This type of hydrogen, known as “gray” hydrogen, undermines the sustainability claims of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. While “blue” hydrogen, which involves capturing and storing CO2, is an improvement, it remains less common and is not yet proven on a large scale.
Furthermore, hydrogen’s energy efficiency is a concern. The process of generating hydrogen from water, transporting it, and converting it back into electricity within the vehicle is less efficient compared to the direct use of electricity in battery-electric vehicles. The logistics of transporting and storing hydrogen, often under high pressure or in chemical carriers like ammonia, add additional layers of complexity and potential inefficiency.
Despite these issues, hydrogen technology continues to attract interest from certain sectors. BMW, for instance, is experimenting with hydrogen vehicles like the iX5 Hydrogen, and the Extreme E racing series plans to switch to hydrogen power in 2025. These initiatives reflect ongoing efforts to explore hydrogen’s potential, though they also highlight the need to balance technological advancements with practical and environmental considerations.
In contrast, battery-electric vehicles are already making significant strides. The expansion of EV charging infrastructure, with over 120,000 public charge points in France alone, contrasts sharply with the shrinking network of hydrogen refueling stations. The efficiency and immediate availability of battery-electric technology make it a more viable option for widespread use.
The controversy surrounding the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles at the Paris Olympics highlights broader questions about the future of sustainable transportation. While hydrogen holds promise, the current limitations and inefficiencies cast doubt on its immediate viability compared to more developed battery-electric solutions. As the debate continues, it is clear that finding the most effective path to reducing emissions will require careful consideration of all available technologies.
