A Comparison of Hydrogen vs. Electric vs. Gasoline Powered Cars

Gasoline Powered Cars

Have to pay for regular maintenance
Have to pay for gas (which means paying for gas for vehicles with low fuel efficiency
Can't refill at home
Have tailpipe emissions (Ex. nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter)

Electric vehicles are quicker than gas vehicles.
Electric vehicles generate torque more efficiently than gas cars
Electric cars are cheaper over the lifetime of a vehicle
A fully charged electric car costs under $7 in electricity on average. An average gas vehicle costs about $40
Don't have to do as many maintenance procedures, such as oil changes
There are tax credits that help save money on the higher upfront costs
Can also have a range of 250-300 miles on a full charge
Can charge at home or work
Some places have priority parking spaces for electric vehicles
More and more charging stations are popping up
Electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions and are not directly powered by fossil fuels
Quiet ride

Ranges are typically lower than gas vehicles
Can be hard to find charging in rural areas
Do not totally benefit the environment as often times the electricity used to charge a vehicle is from a coal power plant
The production of electric vehicles, just like gas vehicles, typically comes with emissions

Over 400 miles of range with a single tank of gas
Produce zero tailpipe emissions, only water vapor and warm air
Can be refueled in minutes
Hydrogen fuel is sold at gas stations
Incentives to buy:
- California residents can get $4,500 in tax credits
- The federal government will contribute up to $9,500 in tax credits
- Some manufacturers include a $15,000 card in funds for hydrogen fuel

Hydrogen vehicles are expensive (they start around $50,000)
Filling stations are limited to a few select states right now
Costs about $80 to refuel (hence why manufacturers provide prepaid fuel)
Most hydrogen fuel comes from non eco-friendly resources such as coal and natural gas