What is the Difference Between Fuel Cell and Battery?

The main difference between fuel cells and batteries lies in how they generate and store electricity. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Energy Storage: Batteries store energy and then use it to produce electricity, while fuel cells generate electricity by converting available fuel.
2. Refueling Time: Fuel cells can be refueled quickly, making them suitable for vehicles that run several shifts a day. For example, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can be refueled in just a few minutes, compared to several hours for a battery-powered electric vehicle.
3. Weight: Hydrogen is more energy-dense than batteries, which means fuel cells can provide more energy for a given weight. This makes fuel cells a better choice for heavy-duty, long-range trucks.
4. Applications: Batteries are commonly used in automotive applications and grid storage, while fuel cells are preferred for commercial vehicles like buses, trains, trucks, and airplanes.
5. Efficiency: Batteries are generally more efficient than fuel cells, but the comparison changes when considering heavy-duty, long-range trucks, where fuel cells become more advantageous due to their higher energy density.

In summary, batteries store and use energy, while fuel cells generate electricity from a constant supply of fuel. Fuel cells are more suitable for heavy-duty, long-range applications, while batteries are more commonly used in automotive and grid storage applications.

Comparative Table: Fuel Cell vs Battery

Here is a table comparing the differences between fuel cells and batteries:

Batteries store energy and generate electricity using stored energy, while fuel cells generate electricity by converting available fuel and oxygen. Batteries are rechargeable and have limited fuel and oxidant, while fuel cells are not rechargeable and require a constant supply of fuel and oxygen. Batteries have lower efficiency compared to fuel cells, and their reactants and chemical reaction products remain inside the cell. On the other hand, fuel cells have higher efficiency, and their reactants are supplied continuously while the chemical reaction products are removed from the cell. Batteries typically take hours to recharge, whereas fuel cells have quick refueling times. Fuel cells also require less maintenance compared to batteries.