What fuel cell energy will cost you in 2019? TechCrunch
- September 8, 2021
TechCrunch published an article today detailing the cost of fuel cell technologies, with an estimated price tag of $4,200 per kWh.
Fuel cell technology will be more than just a plug-in electric vehicle option for the masses; it will help drive a variety of industries, from power generation to manufacturing.
Fuel cells are becoming more affordable and more widespread, which is a boon to electric vehicle companies like Tesla and Nissan, which are hoping to build out their fuel cell infrastructure.
The price of fuel cells has dropped in recent years, and they’re becoming more commonplace in electric vehicles, but that doesn’t mean the technology is getting cheaper.
The most expensive fuel cell will cost a whopping $4.3 million per kWh in 2019.
“If you’re going to do something like a fuel cell, you’re doing something with the energy from fossil fuels,” said Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors.
“So the cost goes up with each generation of fuel, but it’s always going to be cheaper than something like [a] gasoline car.”
The cost of a fuelcell technology varies depending on the size of the battery and the amount of energy required.
In a larger battery, fuel cells typically need more energy to operate.
The average fuel cell is 10-20 percent more efficient than a lithium ion battery.
The same can be said for a fuel battery.
A fuel cell battery can use up to 60 percent less energy than a comparable lithium ion or cobalt oxide battery.
In 2019, the price of a battery will be around $6,000 per kWh, according to TechCrunch.
The cost varies by fuel cell technology.
A single 20 kWh fuel cell costs around $500, while a 250 kWh fuelcell can be priced at around $2,000.
While fuel cells aren’t cheap on the grid, they’re relatively affordable in a range of applications.
One of the largest fuel cell projects underway right now is a $100 million lithium ion fuel cell project in Florida.
This project is expected to provide electricity to an average of 12,000 homes in the state.
Tesla Motors is looking to increase its fuel cell offerings by 20 percent by 2020.
It’s unclear when or if the company will actually start building out its fuel cells in the United States.
It would be nice to see the fuel cell industry grow, but there’s no reason to expect that to happen anytime soon.
If you’re interested in more information about fuel cells and the various types of energy they can store, check out the TechCrunch post.
