<img src=https://nenpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-6574.webp alt=’How does hydrogen’s energy density compare to traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel’ />
Hydrogen has a significantly higher energy density compared to traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel. Here are the key points of comparison:
- Mass Energy Density: Hydrogen has an energy density of approximately 120 megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg), which is roughly three times that of gasoline or diesel. Gasoline has about 45.8 MJ/kg, while diesel has about 45.5 MJ/kg.
- Volumetric Energy Density: Despite its high mass energy density, hydrogen has a very low volumetric energy density. Liquid hydrogen has a volumetric density of about 8 MJ/L, and compressed hydrogen gas at 700 bar pressure is about 5.6 MJ/L. This is much lower than gasoline, which has a volumetric energy density of about 32 MJ/L at ambient conditions.
- Electrical Energy Equivalent: In terms of electrical energy, 1 kg of hydrogen is equivalent to about 33.6 kWh of usable energy when used in a fuel cell. In contrast, diesel typically offers about 12-14 kWh/kg.
- Efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells are also more efficient than internal combustion engines used for gasoline and diesel. Electric drivetrains powered by hydrogen fuel cells lose less energy to heat compared to combustion engines, enhancing overall efficiency.
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