An alternative pathway relies on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs). These vehicles utilize a chemical process where hydrogen gas combines with oxygen from the air to generate electricity, leaving water vapor as the sole byproduct. FCVs boast a driving range comparable to conventional petrol cars and can be refueled in a matter of minutes. Despite these advantages, the commercialization of hydrogen transport faces steep economic hurdles. Constructing a nationwide hydrogen refueling infrastructure demands astronomical capital investment. Moreover, the vast majority of commercial hydrogen is currently extracted from natural gas through steam methane reforming, a process that releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, thereby undermining the vehicle’s environmental credentials unless "green hydrogen" produced via water electrolysis becomes commercially viable.

What is the main problem with using renewable energy to obtain hydrogen from water?

A description of a holistic method used to measure a vehicle's true environmental impact.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles offer a transitional solution. PHEVs combine a smaller battery pack with a conventional gasoline or diesel engine. They can operate on electricity for short distances—typically 30 to 50 kilometers—after which the internal combustion engine takes over. This dual drivetrain reduces range anxiety but adds mechanical complexity. Critics argue that many PHEV owners rarely charge their vehicles, leading to higher real-world emissions than laboratory tests suggest.

To practice the full text, you can find the complete passage on platforms like IELTS Training Online Mini-IELTS vocabulary from this passage to help with your reading prep? IELTS Reading passage 3: Environmentally-friendly! vehicles

Environmentally-Friendly! Vehicles passage is a common IELTS Reading

Part 4: Top IELTS Reading Strategies for Sustainable Tech Passages 1. Don't Get Bogged Down by Technical Jargon

Vehicles that use hydrogen gas to generate electricity, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct.