Katerina Swanson
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are vehicles that use hydrogen as their energy source. They are similar to electric cars but differ in how they store energy. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are rarer than electric vehicles, with only 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads as of mid-2022, compared to almost three million electric vehicles. Globally, there were over 72,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by the end of 2022, a 40% increase from 2021. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are available from manufacturers such as Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, and BMW. However, they face challenges such as limited refuelling infrastructure and competition from electric vehicles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles sold worldwide by the end of 2022 | 70,200 |
| Number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles sold in the US in 2023 | 3,143 |
| Number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the US as of mid-2022 | 17,000 or fewer |
| Number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in California as of mid-2022 | 17,000 |
| Number of hydrogen refuelling stations worldwide in 2022 | 1,020 |
| Number of Toyota Mirais sold by the end of 2019 | 10,000+ |
| Number of Hyundai Nexo SUVs sold as of 2021 | 1,600 |
| Number of Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles sold | Unclear, production ended |
| Number of hydrogen trucks in China | 95% of the world's total |
| Number of fuel cell buses in China | 85% of the world's total |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles increased by 40% in 2022, totalling 72,000
- California is the only US state with a network of hydrogen fuelling stations
- Toyota, Honda and Hyundai have all offered hydrogen-powered cars for sale
- China has over 95% of the world's hydrogen trucks
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapour
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles increased by 40% in 2022, totalling 72,000
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are related to electric cars but differ in some ways. Hydrogen vehicles include road vehicles, rail vehicles, space rockets, forklifts, ships, and aircraft. They generate motive power by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy, or by hydrogen internal combustion. Hydrogen burns cleaner than fuels like gasoline or methane, but it is harder to store and transport due to the small size of its molecules.
As of 2021, there were two hydrogen cars publicly available: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. In 2022, the number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the world's roads grew by 40%, totalling 72,000 vehicles, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2023 report. This implies that about 20,500 new FCEVs were sold in 2022, with 15,000 of those being cars. Two-thirds of these additional 15,000 fuel cell cars were in South Korea. The second-largest market for FCEVs is the US, with more than 15,000 FCEVs, most of which are cars.
The main disadvantage of hydrogen cars compared to EVs is that they cannot be refueled or recharged at home overnight. Instead, they rely on a reliable supply of hydrogen and an available high-pressure fueling station. Hydrogen fuel is a specialized commodity, and the small network of retail stations charges high prices. For example, in late 2022, a kilogram of hydrogen cost between $10 and $17 at California hydrogen stations, equal to about $5 to $8.50 per gallon of gasoline.
In 2022, the stock of FCEVs in the US increased by more than 20%, while China, which has the third-largest FCEV stock, saw a 60% growth. China is home to more than 95% of the world's hydrogen trucks and almost 85% of the global fuel cell bus fleet. In 2022, China added its first 200 hydrogen cars to its FCEV fleet. Japan had the fourth-biggest FCEV fleet in 2022, followed by Germany.
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California is the only US state with a network of hydrogen fuelling stations
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are growing in popularity, with a 40% increase in the number of vehicles on the world's roads in 2022. The US is the second-largest market for these vehicles, with more than 15,000 in operation. However, when it comes to fuelling stations, California is the only US state with a significant network in place.
There are currently around 74 hydrogen fuelling stations in the US, and the majority of these are in California. The state has plans to further develop its hydrogen infrastructure, with a newly approved hydrogen hub allocating $1.2 billion in federal funding to the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES). This investment is expected to generate an additional $11.2 billion from private investors.
California's focus on hydrogen fuelling stations is part of its commitment to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions from vehicles. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles offer a zero-emission alternative to traditional gas-powered cars, emitting only water vapour. They also have the advantage of a quick refuelling time of just five minutes for a 300- to 400-mile range.
However, the development of hydrogen fuelling stations in California has faced some challenges. While the state had planned to have 100 hydrogen stations by 2024, there are currently fewer than 60, with Shell recently closing seven of its stations in the state. Additionally, not all of the existing stations are consistently operational, impacting the reliability of the network.
Despite these challenges, California continues to lead the way in hydrogen infrastructure development in the US. As demand for hydrogen fuel increases and more advanced hydrogen-powered vehicles become available, the state is poised to expand its network of fuelling stations further.
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Toyota, Honda and Hyundai have all offered hydrogen-powered cars for sale
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are growing in popularity, with a 40% increase in the number of such vehicles on the world's roads in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This amounts to over 72,000 vehicles, with about 80% of these being cars.
Honda is also developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, with the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV set to be released soon. This vehicle will use a similar fuel cell system to the Toyota Mirai, with dual high-pressure hydrogen tanks that offer compact energy storage and quick refuelling. Honda will provide a fuel card for up to $15,000 worth of hydrogen fuel during a three-year lease in California, where there are already approved hydrogen fuelling stations.
Hyundai has also joined the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market with its 2023 Nexo Fuel Cell model. While specific details about this model are scarce, Hyundai is known for its commitment to accessibility, with dedicated contact information for disability-related concerns.
These three automotive companies are leading the way in hydrogen-powered cars, offering innovative and sustainable transportation options to consumers. With the number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the rise, it's clear that this technology is gaining traction as a viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
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China has over 95% of the world's hydrogen trucks
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are related to electric vehicles but are powered by a fuel cell stack that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour. As of 2022, there were over 72,000 HFCVs on the world's roads, a 40% increase from 2021.
In 2023, a Chinese start-up called Hybot unveiled the world's first gaseous-hydrogen-powered truck with a range of more than 1,000 kilometres. The H49 vehicle is expected to be delivered in small batches in the second half of 2024 and will be officially launched into mass production in 2025. Daimler's Mercedes-Benz also introduced a green hydrogen truck that can drive over 1,000 kilometres on a single tank.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have been available since 2014, they have not gained widespread popularity due to high prices and limited refuelling infrastructure. As of 2021, there were only two hydrogen car models publicly available: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. However, the number of hydrogen fuel cell cars on the world's roads is growing, with about 20,500 new fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) sold in 2022, 15,000 of which were cars.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapour
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) emit only water vapour and warm air, producing no harmful tailpipe emissions. This is similar to electric vehicles (EVs), which also emit no carbon dioxide or other harmful exhaust. However, HFCVs are different from typical battery-powered EVs in several ways. For one, they are powered by a fuel cell stack in which 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 HFCVs are technically a series hybrid, and they are sometimes classified as fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
Another key difference between HFCVs and EVs is that HFCVs do not suffer from long charging times. Refuelling an HFCV takes just five minutes, after which the vehicle can be driven for another 300 to 400 miles. This is comparable to the refuelling time of traditional gas-powered cars. However, the availability of hydrogen fuel can be a challenge, as there are currently fewer than 60 hydrogen stations in California, for example.
Despite these differences, HFCVs share some positive features with EVs. They are both smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive. Additionally, hydrogen, like electricity, is an energy carrier that can be produced from various feedstocks. However, HFCVs are much rarer than EVs. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on U.S. roads, all of them in California, whereas almost three million EVs had been sold in the U.S.
That being said, the number of HFCVs on the world's roads is growing. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2023 report, the number of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) increased by 40% in 2022 compared to 2021, totalling more than 72,000 vehicles worldwide. The IEA report also noted that about 80% of these were cars, with 10% being trucks and almost 10% being buses.
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Frequently asked questions
By the end of 2022, 70,200 fuel cell electric vehicles had been sold worldwide. In 2023, 3,143 hydrogen cars were sold in the US.
As of mid-2022, there are 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles in the US. All of them are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations.
China has around 1,500 fuel cell vehicles, most of which are buses. Japan has around 3,400.
