Question: Consider the following types of vehicles:
I. Full battery electric vehicles.
II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
III. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles.
How many of the above are considered as alternative (powertrain) vehicles?
✅ Answer: C. All three
Explanation:
I. BEVs: Option I is correct: Full Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Full Battery Electric Vehicles operate entirely on electricity stored in high-capacity batteries. These batteries are charged using external power sources like home chargers or public charging stations. BEVs have no internal combustion engine, meaning they do not consume petrol or diesel at all. Instead, they use an electric motor to power the wheels. This results in zero tailpipe emissions, making them environmentally friendly.
Common examples of BEVs include the Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf.
II. FCEVs: Option II is correct: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs)
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles generate electricity onboard by using a chemical process in a fuel cell, where hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen from the air. This process produces electricity that powers an electric motor, with only water vapour as the byproduct, making these vehicles emission-free at the tailpipe.
FCEVs do not rely on fossil fuels or internal combustion engines, and unlike BEVs, they do not require external charging; instead, they are refuelled with compressed hydrogen gas.
III. FCHEVs: Option III is correct: Fuel Cell Electric Hybrid Vehicles (FCHEVs):
Fuel Cell Electric Hybrid Vehicles combine the technologies of fuel cell vehicles and battery-electric vehicles. In these vehicles, both a hydrogen fuel cell and a battery system work together to power an electric motor.
The fuel cell generates electricity from hydrogen, while the battery can store energy from regenerative braking or from the fuel cell. This hybrid system provides flexibility in power delivery, better efficiency, and potentially extended driving range.
An example of such a vehicle is the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL.
