Battery technical

Why doesn’t Volkswagen use fuel cells and hydrogen drive systems?

At Volkswagen, we came to the conclusion that e-mobility – i.e. drive systems that use batteries or rechargeable cells – is by far the most efficient way to decarbonate. Research in this field is already well advanced and progress is being made on the charging infrastructure. Fuel cells or synthetic fuels may very well become more important over the medium or long term. But neither of these will be available on an industrial scale by the mid 2020s – and certainly not at reasonable prices. Long range driving and quick refuelling make fuel cell systems viable for long-distance e-mobility – as long as the hydrogen is produced by electrolysis from solar and wind energy (green) sources. The conversion process, however, results in a loss of efficiency because – unlike the battery – power cannot be consumed directly. Another factor is the absence of a refuelling infrastructure. Although 400 stations are planned in Germany by 2023, some 3,000 would be needed for nationwide coverage. Asian car manufacturers are currently leading the market for hydrogen drive systems.