Comparing the costs of well to wheel and greenhouse gas emissions for the production and operation of a hydrogen fuel cell instead of ICE

Mirzavand, Edris; Mohammadi, Arash; Rajabali, Mahdi

doi:10.48301/jear.2025.477895.1044

Comparing the costs of well to wheel and greenhouse gas emissions for the production and operation of a hydrogen fuel cell instead of ICE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Edris Mirzavand ¹

Arash Mohammadi ¹

Mahdi Rajabali ²

¹ Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tehran, Iran.

² Chief Executive Officer of Irankhodro Powertrain Company (IPCO), Tehran, Iran.

10.48301/jear.2025.477895.1044

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive comparison of the well-to-wheel energy demand, emissions and costs of conventional internal combustion engine and hydrogen fuel cell passenger car propulsion systems. Vehicle production, operation, repair, and decommissioning are considered, along with a wide range of processes for hydrogen production, electricity blending, and internal combustion engine fuel. Results are determined based on a reference vehicle, propulsion efficiency, life cycle estimation data, and cost estimation. Well-to-wheel results are sensitive to the electricity source used to compress or liquefy the hydrogen. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of the well-to-wheel energy demand, emissions and costs of conventional internal combustion engine and hydrogen fuel cell passenger car propulsion systems. Vehicle production, operation, repair, and decommissioning are considered, along with a wide range of processes for hydrogen production, electricity blending, and internal combustion engine fuel. Results are determined based on a reference vehicle, propulsion efficiency, life cycle estimation data, and cost estimation. Well-to-wheel results are sensitive to the electricity source used to compress or liquefy the hydrogen.

Keywords

Well to wheel

greenhouse gas emission

energy demand

cost

hydrogen production

Subjects

Automotive Engineering

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