Hydrogen has a significantly higher gravimetric energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, hydrogen contains about 120 to 142 MJ per kilogram (MJ/kg) of energy, depending on its state (compressed gas or liquid), which translates to roughly 33.6 kWh/kg of usable energy. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries typically have an energy density in the range of about 0.9 to 2.63 MJ/kg (around 250 to 730 Wh/kg), which is substantially lower than hydrogen on a mass basis.
However, hydrogen’s volumetric energy density is much lower than that of conventional liquid fuels or batteries. For example, liquid hydrogen has an energy density of about 8 MJ per liter (MJ/L), and compressed hydrogen gas at 700 bar has about 5.6 MJ/L, whereas gasoline has about 32 MJ/L. Lithium-ion batteries, depending on their design, usually have higher volumetric energy density than hydrogen gas but less than liquid fuels; typical lithium-ion battery volumetric energy densities range from about 250 to 700 Wh/L (0.9 to 2.5 MJ/L), which are still generally lower than gasoline but generally higher than compressed hydrogen gas.
To summarize the comparison:
| Energy Carrier | Gravimetric Energy Density (MJ/kg) | Volumetric Energy Density (MJ/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen (liquid) | ~120–142 | ~8 |
| Hydrogen (compressed gas, 700 bar) | ~120–142 | ~5.6 |
| Lithium-ion Battery | ~0.9–2.63 | ~0.9–2.5 |
| Gasoline | ~44 | ~32 |
Thus, hydrogen excels in energy per unit mass, making it attractive where weight is critical, but its low volumetric energy density requires high-pressure storage or liquefaction to increase practicality. Lithium-ion batteries, while heavier per unit energy, provide denser energy storage volumetrically and are more convenient for compact applications.
This fundamental difference drives their respective applications: hydrogen suits long-range, heavy-duty transport or storage when weight matters, while lithium-ion batteries are preferred for compact, low-to-medium range energy storage and electric vehicles.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-energy-density-of-hydrogen-compare-to-lithium-ion-batteries/
