Hydrogen and gasoline differ significantly in energy density. On an energy per mass basis, hydrogen has a higher energy density than gasoline. Hydrogen contains about 120–142 megajoules (MJ) per kilogram, while gasoline has around 44–46 MJ per kilogram. This makes hydrogen roughly 2.5 to 3 times more energy-dense by weight.
However, on an energy per volume basis, gasoline outperforms hydrogen. Gasoline’s volumetric energy density is about 34.2 MJ per liter, whereas liquid hydrogen, stored at -253°C, has an energy density of only around 8.5 MJ per liter. This means hydrogen requires bulky and heavy storage systems. This makesit difficult to se for volumetric applications.
In summary, while hydrogen offers superior energy density by mass, its lower volumetric density and complex storage requirements make gasoline more practical for many current energy applications. Hydrogen's potential lies in weight-sensitive sectors, like aerospace and certain vehicles.