Sylvie Willis
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are vehicles that use hydrogen gas to generate electricity and power the motor that drives the car. They are zero-emission vehicles, emitting only water vapour. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are often compared to electric cars, which have gained more popularity, with almost three million EVs sold in the US compared to 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles as of mid-2022. However, hydrogen fuel cell cars are expected to gain traction by 2028, with a projected market value of $42.04 billion. So, are hydrogen fuel cell cars the future?
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are zero-emissions vehicles
While electric vehicles (EVs) have gained more traction in recent years, with almost three million sold in the US alone, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a unique set of advantages. For example, they can travel up to twice as far as a conventional car on the same amount of fuel and can be refuelled in a similar amount of time as a standard car. This makes them more similar to traditional cars in terms of convenience and range compared to battery-powered EVs, which typically have longer charging times and shorter ranges.
However, the development and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell cars have faced some challenges. In the US, for instance, there were only around 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road as of mid-2022, and these were concentrated in California, the only state with a comprehensive network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. The lack of refuelling infrastructure outside of California highlights the "chicken and egg" problem of hydrogen fuel cell car adoption: consumers are hesitant to buy hydrogen cars due to the lack of refuelling options, and energy companies are hesitant to invest in building more infrastructure due to the low demand for hydrogen fuel.
Despite these challenges, major automakers remain interested in hydrogen fuel cell technology and continue to develop and lease such vehicles. Honda, for example, has partnered with General Motors to bring a fuel-cell version of its CR-V hybrid SUV to market, with a projected sales target of a few hundred thousand by the latter half of the 2030s. Honda's CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, has expressed a particular interest in using hydrogen fuel cells for larger vehicles or non-mobility applications that currently rely on diesel, stating that "the fuel cell business comes from commercial vehicles first, then it's coming to passenger vehicles".
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are more expensive than electric cars
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is reflected in the price of hydrogen fuel cell cars. The two mainstream hydrogen cars on sale in the US, the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, start at around $50,000 and $60,000, respectively. This makes them significantly more expensive than many electric vehicles, which are becoming more affordable due to the falling price of lithium-ion batteries.
The lifetime cost of ownership for a fuel cell car has been decreasing in recent years but remains high compared to electric vehicles. The total cost of ownership for hydrogen is about 10% more than an electric vehicle. This is because hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are less complex than electric cars, which have rechargeable battery packs that can be plugged into the electric grid.
Additionally, electric vehicles have the advantage of a vast, nationwide electrical system that already exists. While there is a push for hydrogen-powered commercial trucks, which could expand the hydrogen fuel network and lower prices, the current lack of infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cell cars is a significant disadvantage. As of 2024, California is the only state in the US with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations, and even that network is limited.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars may have some advantages over electric vehicles, such as longer driving ranges and faster refuelling times, their higher cost and the lack of supporting infrastructure make them less accessible to consumers. This has led to low demand and sales for hydrogen-powered cars, with only about 1,900 units of Honda's Clarity Fuel Cell model sold worldwide before its discontinuation in 2021.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are less popular than electric cars
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is another factor contributing to the lower popularity of hydrogen fuel cell cars. Research by Paltsev found that the total cost of ownership for hydrogen-fueled cars was about 10% more than that of electric vehicles. Additionally, the cost of producing hydrogen fuel is high, as most clean methods of production require a significant amount of electricity, more than the hydrogen produced. This, coupled with the high cost of fuel cells, which require materials like platinum, makes hydrogen fuel cell cars less price-competitive than electric cars.
Furthermore, safety concerns surrounding hydrogen fuel have been raised. Hydrogen needs to be pressurized in a tank and is highly reactive, posing safety risks. In contrast, electric cars are considered safer, with fewer instances of reactiveness and corrosion.
The rise of prominent electric car manufacturers like Tesla has also propelled the popularity of electric vehicles worldwide, influencing cultural taste and consumer preferences.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars offer advantages such as long driving ranges, their limited infrastructure, high costs, safety concerns, and competition from electric car manufacturers have contributed to their lower popularity compared to electric cars.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are the next phase after electric cars
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are the next phase of automotive technology after electric cars. They are zero-emission vehicles that emit only water vapour, making them a clean and environmentally friendly option. While electric cars have gained more popularity, with almost three million sold in the US alone, hydrogen-powered cars offer distinct advantages and are expected to gain traction in the market.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) use an electric motor to turn the wheels, similar to electric cars. However, instead of relying on a heavy battery, they are powered by a fuel cell stack that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour. This technology makes them technically a series hybrid, and they are sometimes referred to as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
Despite the potential of hydrogen fuel cell cars, there have been challenges to their widespread adoption. One significant issue is the lack of refuelling infrastructure. As of 2022, California was the only US state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations, and even there, fuel station reliability remains a concern. However, companies like OneH2 are working to develop hydrogen fuel infrastructure to support the growing market.
Another challenge has been the high cost of hydrogen-powered cars. Honda's Clarity Fuel Cell model struggled with low demand and was discontinued in 2021 due to its high price. However, Honda remains committed to fuel-cell technology and is working on reducing costs. They have partnered with General Motors to introduce a more affordable fuel-cell version of their CR-V hybrid SUV.
Looking ahead, the hydrogen car market is expected to take off by 2028, with a projected value of $42.04 billion. Automakers such as Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors are already investing in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure. While electric cars may currently dominate the market, hydrogen fuel cell cars are poised to be the next phase in the evolution of automotive technology, offering a zero-emission, convenient option for consumers.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are expected to take off by 2028
Several automakers, including Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors, have already introduced hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the public market. These companies are actively developing hydrogen fuel infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of these vehicles. Honda, despite discontinuing its Clarity Fuel Cell model due to low demand and inadequate infrastructure, remains committed to fuel-cell technology. Honda's CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, has expressed that the company will focus on hydrogen for larger vehicles, and they have already begun trialling fuel-cell systems in commercial trucks in China.
The advantages of hydrogen fuel cell cars are notable. They are zero-emission vehicles, emitting only water vapour, and offer a comparable refueling time to gasoline vehicles, taking just five minutes to refuel. Additionally, they provide a dependable range of 300 to 400 miles. However, the current refueling infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cell cars is a significant challenge. The availability of hydrogen fuel stations is limited, and supply reliability remains an issue, with stations often running out of fuel for extended periods.
While some analysts suggest that the future of passenger cars is more likely to be electric, the potential for hydrogen fuel cell cars cannot be overlooked. With advancements in technology, the cost of producing hydrogen plants and fuel cells is expected to decrease, making it more financially viable for car companies to invest in this technology. By 2028, we can anticipate improvements in infrastructure and a growing market for hydrogen fuel cell cars, making them a more accessible and convenient option for consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are vehicles that use hydrogen gas to generate electricity to power a motor that drives the car. Hydrogen fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, and the waste product is water vapour.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by a fuel-cell stack, while electric cars are powered by a large, heavy battery. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are also rarer than electric cars, with only 17,000 or fewer on U.S. roads as of mid-2022, while there are almost three million electric cars.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are zero-emission vehicles, which means they produce no tailpipe emissions. They can also be refuelled in a similar amount of time to a traditional petrol or diesel car, and offer a dependable range of 300 to 400 miles.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars require a reliable supply of hydrogen fuel, which is currently lacking. The infrastructure for refuelling hydrogen fuel cell cars is also not yet widely available, with stations often running out of fuel for days at a time.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars may be the future of motor vehicle transportation, but there are some obstacles to overcome first. The market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is expected to grow, with some predicting it will take off by 2028. However, others believe it will be longer, with 2040 predicted as a more likely date for the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell cars.
