Comparison of Different Vehicle Types

Gasoline ICE

Gasoline Hybrid

H2 CI

H2 Fuel Cell

Engine Type

Spark ignition

Spark ignition & Electric motor

CI (with electric motor)

Fuel cell & electric motor

Average engine efficiency

~30%

~30%

~40%

~55%

Max engine efficiency

32.5%

32.5%

~40%

~65%

Size-ability

As much power as needed, at the cost of mpg

Efficiency improvements over gas ICEs are mostly lost with increased power

Efficiency losses or higher emission control costs to increase power

Increasing power may be expensive, requiring additional FCs

Cost of Fuel

Currently low

Currently low

Currently high; but may be slightly lower than FCVs

Currently high

Criteria Pollutant Emissions

Meets emission standards

Lower than gasoline ICE

Likely low, some NOx

Very low or none

State of technology

developed

developed, and in diffusion stage

Could be developed quickly

Earlier in the research process