Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Types and Mechanisms
A hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, releasing only water and heat as by-products. The two most relevant fuel cell types for transport are the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). PEMFC operates at low temperatures (~80°C), starts up within seconds, and is compact — making it the preferred choice for vehicles including trains, buses, and cars. SOFC operates at high temperatures (600–1000°C) and is better suited for stationary power generation due to slower start-up times. Indian Railways' hydrogen DEMU uses PEMFC-based technology.
- PEMFC: low operating temperature (~80°C), fast start-up, uses 100% hydrogen, suited for mobile applications
- SOFC: high operating temperature, can use hydrogen, natural gas, or biogas, better for stationary use
- Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV): powered by hydrogen fuel cells; only by-product is water vapour
- Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): stores electricity in batteries; no on-board generation
● Tracked since May 26, 2026 · last seen July 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes