Do Fuel Cells Wear Out

Much like a battery, a fuel cell produces electricity through an electrochemical reaction, which generates electricity without any combustion. Unlike batteries, fuel cells don’t wear out and continuously provide electricity as long as there’s a constant source of fuel and oxygen.

Do fuel cells need maintenance?

Fuel cells have no moving parts, which makes them potentially much more reliable than combustion engines and wind turbines (and significantly quieter in operation). Stationary fuel cells, in particular, need very little maintenance (with servicing required once every one to three years).

What is the lifetime of a hydrogen fuel cell?

The fuel cell stacks in cars are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle, which is around 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Once they have completed their lifespan, fuel cells can be disassembled and the materials recycled.