No, a fuel cell is not a battery. The core difference lies in how they produce electricity.
Key Differences Between Fuel Cells and Batteries
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Batteries store energy: Batteries store chemical energy and release it as electricity through electrochemical reactions. Once the stored energy is depleted, the battery needs recharging.
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Fuel cells generate energy: Fuel cells generate electricity through a continuous electrochemical reaction as long as fuel and oxidant are supplied. They don't store energy; instead, they convert the chemical energy of a fuel (like hydrogen) and an oxidant (like oxygen) directly into electricity. Think of it like a controlled combustion process that directly creates electricity instead of heat.
As stated in multiple sources, "[a] battery stores energy which it then uses, whereas a fuel cell generates energy by converting available fuel" [Umicore, Energy.gov]. This fundamental distinction is the most crucial aspect in understanding their differences. A fuel cell will continue producing electricity as long as fuel is provided, unlike a battery which has a finite energy capacity [Reddit r/Fuelcell].
Several sources emphasize this distinction: The Department of Energy states that fuel cells "produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied" [Energy.gov]. Wikipedia defines a fuel cell as "an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity" [Wikipedia]. This continuous energy generation is a key differentiator from the finite energy storage capacity of batteries.
While both involve electrochemical reactions, the source and nature of energy conversion fundamentally differ. Batteries store energy in a chemical form and release it, while fuel cells continuously convert the chemical energy of an external fuel source.
