Mercedes Mullins
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are an alternative to traditional cars that use gasoline or battery-electric power. One of the most well-known hydrogen cars on the market is the Toyota Mirai, which has been available since 2015 and is now in its second generation. The base price of the Mirai is around $49,500 to $66,000, but with available incentives and rebates, the cost can be significantly reduced. For example, Toyota has offered rebates of up to $40,000 and $15,000 of free hydrogen fuel. However, the high cost of hydrogen fuel and the lack of widespread hydrogen refueling infrastructure have been cited as reasons why consumers should not purchase hydrogen fuel cell cars. In California, the only state in the US with publicly accessible hydrogen filling stations, the price of hydrogen fuel has skyrocketed to $36 per kg, making it almost 14 times more expensive to drive a hydrogen car than a comparable Tesla EV.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of hydrogen fuel | $36 per kg as of Jan 2024 |
| $500 per month | |
| $160-180 to fill an empty tank | |
| $21.28/kg in California in November last year | |
| €13.85 ($14.78) per kg in Germany | |
| Cost of hydrogen fuel cell cars | Toyota Mirai: $49,500-$66,000 |
| Honda Clarity Fuel Cell: $59,000 | |
| Hyundai Nexo: $60,000 | |
| Toyota Model 3: $25,240 with incentives ($40,240 without) | |
| Used Toyota Mirai: $11,000 | |
| Certified used Toyota Mirai: under $10,000 | |
| Hydrogen fuel cell car incentives | Toyota offers $15,000 of free hydrogen fuel |
| Toyota offered $40,000 rebate on 2023 Mirai Limited | |
| Toyota offered $30,000 off the 2023 Mirai Limited | |
| Toyota offered $22,000 off the base XLE trim | |
| Government incentives available for Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are expensive to run
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is partly due to the limited infrastructure for hydrogen fuelling. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are relatively niche, and few companies have invested in building the expensive fuelling stations, which cost around $1.5-$2 million each. This lack of infrastructure also means that hydrogen car owners may have to drive long distances to find a functioning gas station, adding to the overall cost of running the vehicle.
The resale value of hydrogen fuel cell cars can also be poor, further contributing to the expense of owning one. Additionally, the cost of purchasing a hydrogen fuel cell car tends to be high, with models like the Toyota Mirai starting at around $49,500 to $66,000 before any incentives or rebates. While government incentives and manufacturer discounts can bring down the initial cost, the ongoing running costs of hydrogen fuel cell cars remain high due to the factors mentioned.
It is worth noting that some manufacturers, like Toyota, have offered incentives such as free hydrogen fuel up to a certain value, which can help offset the high running costs. However, these incentives may not be permanent, and the overall expense of running a hydrogen fuel cell car remains a significant consideration for potential buyers.
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Hydrogen refuelling stations are scarce
For example, one user of a hydrogen fuel cell car in California reported that there were zero refuelling locations in the northernmost part of the state and barely any in the east, with only one on the way to Los Angeles. This severely limited their travel range. Another user commented that the hydrogen refuelling stations are "VERY limited" and "half the time are down for maintenance".
The scarcity of hydrogen refuelling stations is partly due to the high cost of building these stations, which can range from $1.5 million to $2 million each. As a result, very few companies have been willing to invest in building the necessary infrastructure. This lack of widespread hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is a significant barrier to the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell cars and may deter potential buyers.
While Toyota, the leading manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell cars, has offered incentives such as free hydrogen fuel cards and interest-free financing, these may not be enough to offset the inconvenience and high fuel costs associated with the scarcity of refuelling stations. Additionally, the price of hydrogen fuel has been increasing, further adding to the challenges faced by hydrogen fuel cell car owners.
The expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is crucial to reducing the costs associated with hydrogen cars and making them a more viable option for consumers. Without a more extensive network of refuelling stations, hydrogen fuel cell cars will likely remain a niche market, with battery-electric vehicles taking the lead in the transition to alternative fuel sources.
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Hydrogen fuel prices have increased
In California, the only US state with publicly accessible hydrogen filling stations, hydrogen fuel prices have skyrocketed. This has been attributed to supply disruptions, with oil major Shell announcing it would permanently close or divest from its H2 refuelling sites, and with Iwatani suing Nel over allegations of faulty equipment at its California filling stations.
The increase in hydrogen fuel prices has had a notable impact on the cost of driving hydrogen fuel cell cars, such as the Toyota Mirai. With a full tank of hydrogen fuel costing around $160-$180 and returning 312-402 miles, the cost per mile works out to be 58 cents. In comparison, the average price of gas in California ($4.64/gallon) and a car with decent fuel economy (25 mpg) results in a cost of just 18 cents per mile.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel has been a source of frustration for drivers of hydrogen fuel cell cars, with some describing the price as "outrageous price gouging". The limited range of hydrogen fuel cell cars, due to the small number of hydrogen fuelling stations, has also been a point of contention for drivers.
Despite the increase in hydrogen fuel prices, there are still incentives for purchasing hydrogen fuel cell cars. For example, Toyota offers $15,000 of free hydrogen fuel for buyers of the Mirai, as well as interest-free financing for up to six years. Additionally, government incentives and rebates can help lower the overall cost of ownership of hydrogen fuel cell cars.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are niche
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are a niche within a niche. They are only available in California, the lone state with a reasonable number of hydrogen fuelling stations. The Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, and Hyundai Nexo are some of the most well-known hydrogen cars on the market. However, their high cost, limited fuelling infrastructure, and poor resale value have made them less appealing to consumers.
The base price of the Toyota Mirai is around $49,500 to $66,000, but with incentives and rebates, the cost can be significantly reduced. For example, Toyota has offered rebates of up to $40,000 and $15,000 of free hydrogen fuel. The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell has a starting price of around $59,000, while the Hyundai Nexo starts at around $60,000. These prices can also be reduced through government incentives.
Despite these incentives, the high cost of hydrogen fuel remains a significant drawback. In California, the price of hydrogen fuel has skyrocketed in recent years, with prices as high as $36 per kilogram. This is significantly more expensive than regular gasoline, resulting in high costs per mile. The limited range of hydrogen cars due to the lack of fuelling stations outside of California further contributes to their niche status.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars offer zero emissions and convenient refuelling, their high cost, limited infrastructure, and regional restrictions have kept them from gaining widespread adoption. As a result, they remain a niche market within the automotive industry, with most consumers opting for battery-electric vehicles or traditional gasoline-powered cars.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are slow to accelerate
The cost of hydrogen fuel cell cars varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle. One of the most well-known hydrogen cars on the market is the Toyota Mirai, with a base price of around $49,500 to $66,000. However, with available incentives and rebates, the cost can be significantly reduced. For example, Toyota has offered rebates and discounts of up to $40,000 on its Mirai Limited fuel-cell electric vehicle, putting the cost in the same bracket as a Toyota Corolla compact car. Additionally, Toyota provides buyers with free hydrogen fuel up to a value of $15,000, which is a major selling point.
Other popular hydrogen car models include the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, with a starting price of around $59,000, and the Hyundai Nexo, a stylish hydrogen-powered SUV with a starting price of about $60,000. Similar to the Mirai, government incentives can be applied to these vehicles, making them more accessible to potential buyers.
While the cost of hydrogen fuel cell cars can be high, it is important to note that the prices of these vehicles are expected to become more competitive with traditional cars as hydrogen fuel cell technology advances and production costs decrease. Additionally, the expansion of hydrogen refueling infrastructure will further reduce the costs associated with hydrogen cars.
However, it is worth mentioning that the high cost of hydrogen fuel and the limited availability of refueling stations can be significant drawbacks for potential buyers. In California, for example, the price of hydrogen fuel has recently skyrocketed to $36 per kilogram, making it significantly more expensive to drive a hydrogen car than a comparable electric vehicle. This, coupled with the slow acceleration of hydrogen fuel cell cars, can be a significant consideration for consumers.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars may offer an alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, the high fuel costs, limited infrastructure, and slow acceleration can be deterrents for potential buyers. However, with advancements in technology and the availability of incentives, the cost of owning a hydrogen fuel cell car may become more feasible in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
The base price of the Toyota Mirai is around $58,000, while the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell starts at around $59,000, and the Hyundai Nexo starts at around $60,000.
Hydrogen fuel prices have skyrocketed lately, with hydrogen costing $36 per kg in California, which would cost around $180 to fill a completely empty tank of a Mirai, which takes a total of five kilograms of hydrogen.
Yes, government incentives and rebates can lower the overall cost of ownership. Toyota has also offered rebates of up to $40,000 and $15,000 of free H2 fuel for its Mirai model.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are currently only available in California, the lone state with a reasonable number of hydrogen fuelling stations.
