Mercedes Mullins
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by an electric motor and are classified as e-cars. They are similar to electric vehicles (EVs) but have some distinct differences. FCEVs produce their own electricity, while EVs are powered by a built-in battery. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are refuelled at hydrogen fuelling stations, similar to traditional gas stations, and have a similar five-minute refuelling time. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles, emitting only water vapour. While they have been available since 2015, they are much rarer than EVs, with only 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads as of mid-2022, all of which are in California. However, major automakers now offer hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for sale or lease in various models, including sedans and compact SUVs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle type | Electric Vehicle (EV) |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle abbreviation | HFCV, FCEV |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle power source | Hydrogen, electric motor |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle refueling time | 5 minutes |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle refueling infrastructure in the U.S. | Limited to California |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle refueling cost | Higher than gasoline |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle refueling range | 300-400 miles |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle refueling incentives | $4,500 rebate in California |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle models | Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai Nexo SUV, Toyota Mirai, BMW iX5 Hydrogen |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle advantages | Zero emissions, efficient, quiet, less maintenance |
| Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle disadvantages | Limited refueling infrastructure, higher purchase price |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars that produce electricity onboard through a process that combines hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell. This onboard electricity generation means that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do not rely on a built-in battery and can be refuelled much faster than electric cars, which require time-intensive recharging. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also zero-emission vehicles, emitting only water vapour and heat as byproducts.
The zero-emission status of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is significant because it addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional internal combustion engines. By emitting only water vapour and heat, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do not produce the harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and negatively impact public health. This makes them a much more environmentally friendly option than traditional cars.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have the advantage of being zero-emission, they face challenges in terms of fuelling infrastructure. Unlike traditional cars, which can refuel at any petrol station, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles require specialised hydrogen fuelling stations. As of 2022, California is the only US state with a comprehensive network of these stations, making it the only place where hydrogen-powered vehicles are a practical option for consumers.
However, the lack of fuelling infrastructure is not due to a lack of interest. Hydrogen is an attractive fuel option because it is the most abundant element in the universe and has a high energy content by weight. As a result, many companies and agencies are working to advance the commercialisation of hydrogen and the fuel cell industry. For example, the California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC) is an advocacy group with over 100 members working to promote the use of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
In addition to the efforts of advocacy groups, vehicle manufacturers such as BMW have partnered with hydrogen producers and filling station operators in initiatives like the Clean Energy Partnership to drive the development of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure. These efforts are crucial because, as the infrastructure expands, the costs of hydrogen fuel are expected to become more competitive with other sources of energy.
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Hydrogen cars are powered by an electric motor
Hydrogen cars are indeed powered by an electric motor. They are therefore classified as e-cars, with the common abbreviation FCEV, which stands for "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle". This is in contrast to BEVs, or "Battery Electric Vehicles", which are powered by a built-in battery charged by an external power source.
FCEVs use the same electric drive as BEVs, but they differ in the way they store energy. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell stack. This fuel cell stack does not burn the gas but instead transforms the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy, which then powers the car's electric motor.
The electricity generated in the fuel cell can either flow to the electric motor and directly drive the vehicle, or it can charge a battery that acts as temporary storage until the energy is needed to drive the vehicle. This "buffer" battery is constantly recharged by the fuel cell and is significantly smaller and lighter than the battery of an all-electric car.
The experience of driving an FCEV is almost identical to driving a battery-electric vehicle, although FCEVs are not as fast. FCEVs have no transmission, and they include regenerative braking to recapture wasted energy as the vehicle slows down.
While hydrogen cars are much rarer than EVs, they are available for sale or lease from major automakers in popular vehicle types, including sedans and compact SUVs.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for rebates and incentives
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a type of electric car, classified as zero-emission vehicles. They are powered by an electric motor and run on electricity, but they are not powered by a large, heavy battery like other electric cars. Instead, they are powered by a fuel cell stack, where hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity that turns the wheels, as well as water vapour. This makes them technically a series hybrid, and they are sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEV).
The benefits of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles include their impressive MPG equivalent—two to three times as many miles as their combustion counterparts. They also have a range of about 300 miles on a full tank, and they can be refuelled in a similar amount of time to a standard car at a "hydrogen fuelling station". They are also quiet, very energy-efficient, and produce no emissions.
Despite these benefits, as of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, and they were all in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. However, hydrogen fuelling infrastructure is constantly being expanded worldwide, and major automakers offer hydrogen fuel cell cars for sale or lease in popular vehicle types, including sedans and compact SUVs.
To encourage the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, they are eligible for rebates and incentives. For example, fuel cell cars are eligible for a $4,500 rebate ($7,500 for income-qualified purchasers) from California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. They also qualify for the Clean Air Vehicle decal to drive solo in the carpool lanes and various programs to support clean transportation ownership in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Additionally, the US Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are in the process of implementing IRA tax credits for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which include extending and increasing existing federal tax credits for clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are easy to maintain and own
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by an electric motor and are classified as e-cars. They are similar to electric vehicles in that they are powered by electricity and drive with zero local emissions. However, they differ in the way they produce and store energy. Unlike electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell cars produce their own electricity through an onboard power plant that converts hydrogen in the fuel tank into electricity. This electricity then powers the car's electric motors, with tailpipe emissions of only water vapour. This makes hydrogen fuel cell cars a zero-emission vehicle option.
One of the key advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is their ease of refuelling. They can be refuelled at dedicated hydrogen fuelling stations, which are becoming increasingly available worldwide. The refuelling process is similar to that of traditional gas stations and only takes a few minutes, making it convenient for long-distance travel. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell cars have a similar range to e-cars with large battery storage and their range is not affected by cold weather.
The maintenance of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is also straightforward. While they have similar high-voltage battery packs to electric and hybrid vehicles, the key difference lies in their hydrogen fuel system. This system includes armoured carbon fibre tanks that store pure hydrogen under high pressure, as well as the fuel cell stack and connecting plumbing. Although servicing these components requires special precautions and adherence to safety rules, regular maintenance tasks for other vehicle components are similar to those of conventional cars.
Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cell cars are eligible for various incentives and support programs, particularly in California, which has a well-established hydrogen fuelling infrastructure. For example, fuel cell cars qualify for rebates, clean air vehicle decals, and initiatives to promote clean transportation ownership in low-income and disadvantaged communities. These incentives can help offset the higher acquisition cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, making the total cost of ownership comparable to conventional cars.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are available for sale or lease
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. They are similar to battery-electric cars in that they use the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels. However, they are powered by a fuel cell stack, in which pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing the electricity that turns the wheels, as well as water vapour. This means that hydrogen vehicles produce their own electricity, rather than relying on a built-in battery.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer several advantages, including zero emissions, high efficiency, and a longer range than conventional cars. They are also very easy to own and care for, with a similar refuelling time to a standard car. However, they are generally more expensive than their electric or hybrid counterparts, and the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure outside of California is a significant drawback for potential buyers.
In California, fuel cell cars are eligible for a rebate of up to $7,500 from the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, as well as various other incentives. They can also be leased, with current deals often including up to three years of complimentary fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are electric vehicles that use hydrogen to generate electricity and power the electric motor. They are similar to battery-electric cars but differ in the way they store energy. Hydrogen fuel cell cars produce zero emissions and are more efficient than their battery-powered counterparts.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are available for sale or lease from major automakers. However, as of 2024, the lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the U.S. limits their viability to California, which has the majority of the country's hydrogen filling stations.
Some examples of hydrogen fuel cell cars include the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai Nexo SUV, Toyota Mirai, and BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
