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?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

The correct answer is (c) All the three.

Explanation

An “alternative powertrain” refers to any vehicle propulsion system that does not rely on a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered by gasoline or diesel. All three options listed fit this description:

I. Full battery electric vehicles (BEVs): These are a classic example of an alternative powertrain. They use an electric motor powered by a large rechargeable battery, with no internal combustion engine at all.
II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs): These are also an alternative powertrain. They use a fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity, which then powers an electric motor. Their only emission is water vapor.
III. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles (FCHEVs): This is a type of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that also includes a battery. It’s a “hybrid” between a fuel cell (like in II) and a battery (like in I). Since its core components are a fuel cell and an electric motor, it is definitively an alternative powertrain.

The correct answer is (c) All the three.

Explanation

An “alternative powertrain” refers to any vehicle propulsion system that does not rely on a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered by gasoline or diesel.

All three options listed are types of electric vehicles (EVs) and are considered alternative powertrains:

Full battery electric vehicles (BEVs): These are the most common type of alternative powertrain. They are propelled only by an electric motor, which gets its power from a large rechargeable battery.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs): These are also alternative. They are a type of electric vehicle, but instead of storing electricity in a battery, they create electricity on board. They do this in a fuel cell that chemically combines stored hydrogen gas with oxygen from the air. This reaction powers an electric motor, and the only emission is water.
Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles (FCHEVs): This is a specific type of FCEV (in fact, almost all FCEVs are technically hybrids). They use a hydrogen fuel cell as the main power source but also include a smaller battery. This battery stores electricity from regenerative braking and provides a power boost during acceleration. Since its core propulsion is a fuel cell and electric motor, it is an alternative powertrain.

Learn More

Key Concepts in Alternative Powertrains

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): The traditional engine that burns a fuel (like gasoline or diesel) to move pistons. This is the “non-alternative” powertrain.
Powertrain vs. Drivetrain: Though often used interchangeably, a powertrain includes the “engine” (or motor) that creates the power, while the drivetrain includes the components that deliver that power to the wheels (transmission, axles, etc.).
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV): This is a key goal of alternative powertrains. BEVs and FCEVs are both ZEVs because they have zero tailpipe emissions. (Note: The manufacturing of the vehicle or the generation of the electricity/hydrogen may still produce emissions).

The “Hybrid” Spectrum

The term “hybrid” can be confusing. Here is a quick breakdown of the main types of vehicles:

Vehicle Type	Power Source(s)	How it Refuels / Recharges
ICE (Traditional)	Gasoline/Diesel Engine	Gas Station
HEV (Hybrid Electric)	Gas Engine + Electric Motor	Gas Station (Battery recharges via engine & braking)
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid)	Gas Engine + Electric Motor	Gas Station + Electric Outlet
BEV (Battery Electric)	Electric Motor Only	Electric Outlet (Charging Station)
FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric)	Fuel Cell + Electric Motor	Hydrogen Fueling Station