One of the characteristics of LIFEalps is its promotion of e-mobility without preferring one technology, i.e. it promotes both battery-electric mobility and fuel cell electric mobility. Both technologies have their advantages and contribute to offering a zero emission alternative for everybody.
What is electric mobility?
As the name says, electricity and the electric motor are at the core of electric mobility: as there is no combustion like in traditional vehicles, no pollutants or CO2 are emitted - protecting humans, nature and climate alike.
The two sides of electric mobility: battery and fuel cell
When talking about electric mobility, most people speak instinctingly about batteries. This is one, maybe the more obvious, version of e-mobility, i.e. the battery electric mobility. In this technology the electricity is stored in the batteries and powers the e-motor. And one concept is valid: more batteries equals to more range. Therefore we are speaking about a technology based on raw materials.
In fuel cell electric vehicles the electric motor receives the necessary electricity via a detour: the vehicle is refuelled with hydrogen, which reacts with oxygen in the fuel cell generating among others electricity. Furthermore, this technology is based on know-how, i.e. by investing in Research and Innovation can improve efficency and range.
A comparison between these two technologies:
How battery-electric mobility works:
- Technology based on raw materials: more raw materials (i.e. batteries) equal to a higher range.
- Ideal especially for smaller vehicles (battery: max. 50kW advised): Due to the CO2-balance of the raw materials used (especially during their extraction) it is ideal to prefer smaller battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In this category, this technology can play its strengths such as low charging and operational costs.
How fuel cell electric mobility works:
- Technology based on know-how: investments in R&I equal to a higher range.
- Ideal especially for bigger vehicles and for those which need a higher range: refuelling a vehicle with hydrogen is completed in 4-5 minutes.
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The "Zero Emission Services for a Decarbonised Alpine Economy" project (short: LIFEalps) has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union.
LIFE17 IPC IT 000005 – Zero Emission LIFE IP