Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), mostly carbon dioxide (CO2), that contribute to global climate change. FCVs powered by pure hydrogen emit no GHGs from their tailpipe, only heat and water.

Producing the hydrogen to power FCVs can generate GHGs, depending on the production method, but much less than that emitted by conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles. more...

The chart below shows the GHGs generated by various vehicle types and considers all steps of the energy chain from fuel extraction or production to use by the vehicle, not just tailpipe emissions. Even when accounting for the GHGs emitted during hydrogen production, conventional gasoline vehicles generate roughly 2 to 14 times more more GHGs per mile than FCVs.

DOE. 2009. Well-to-Wheels Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Petroleum Use. Hydrogen Program Record #9002.
(http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/9002_well-to-wheels_greenhouse_gas_emissions_petroleum_use.pdf)

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Less Air Pollutants

Highway vehicles emit a significant share of the air pollutants that contribute to smog and harmful particulates in the U.S. FCVs powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful pollutants. If the hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, some pollutants are produced, but much less than the amount generated by conventional vehicle tailpipe emissions.

Reduced Oil Dependence

FCVs could reduce our dependence on foreign oil since hydrogen can be derived from domestic sources, such natural gas and coal, as well as renewable resources such as water. That would make our economy less dependent on other countries and less vulnerable to oil price shocks from an increasingly volatile oil market.