Rajan Wilcox
Fuel cell cars are vehicles that use fuel cells and run on electricity generated from hydrogen. They are distinct from most electric vehicles (EVs) on the market as they do not use high-capacity batteries or charging stations. Instead, they convert hydrogen gas into electricity using an onboard fuel cell. The Toyota Mirai, for example, is a hydrogen fuel cell car with a luxury car price tag of around $49,500 to $58,000. While fuel cell cars offer unique advantages, such as a longer range and faster refuelling times compared to traditional EVs, their high cost and limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure are significant factors that influence their adoption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Price of a fuel cell car | The base price of the Toyota Mirai, one of the most well-known hydrogen cars on the market, is around $58,000. The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is another popular model, with a starting price of around $59,000. The Hyundai Nexo is a stylish hydrogen-powered SUV with a starting price of around $60,000. |
| Factors affecting the price of a fuel cell car | Production cost, technological advancements, and government incentives. |
| Cost of hydrogen fuel | In November 2022, the average hydrogen price at the pump in California was $21.28/kg, a 33% increase from July 2022. In April 2021, the price was $13.14/kg. |
| Cost of fueling a fuel cell car | Filling a Toyota Mirai's 5.6kg tank would cost $201.60, or around $0.50 per mile. |
| Cost of fueling a Tesla Model 3 in California | $11.94 for a full charge, resulting in a cost of $0.036 per mile. |
| Cost of buying a Tesla Model 3 in California | $25,240 with federal and state incentives ($40,240 without incentives). |
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What You'll Learn
Cost of hydrogen fuel-cell cars vs. electric vehicles
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are both zero-tailpipe-emissions vehicles, offering promising solutions to reduce our carbon footprint. However, they have distinct differences in terms of cost, infrastructure, and other factors.
HFCVs are powered by an electric motor and are classified as e-cars. Unlike EVs, HFCVs do not rely on rechargeable battery packs. Instead, they use a fuel cell and pressurized tanks of hydrogen gas to generate electricity. This makes HFCVs technically a series hybrid, or fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEVs).
The cost of acquiring an HFCV is typically higher than that of a comparable EV. The primary factor contributing to this cost difference is the price of hydrogen fuel, which is currently very expensive due to its scarcity. Hydrogen for HFCVs has been priced at about $20 per kilogram, but supply chain disruptions have recently caused prices to surge, with some retail stations in California charging as much as $36 per kilogram. This high fuel cost significantly impacts the total cost of ownership for HFCVs, making it about 40% higher than a comparable gasoline vehicle and 10% more than an EV.
However, leasing an HFCV can mitigate some of the cost concerns. Leasing packages often include fuel, service, and maintenance, making the total cost of ownership comparable to conventional cars. Additionally, HFCVs are eligible for monetary rebates and incentives, such as California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which offers a $4,500 rebate ($7,500 for income-qualified purchasers).
While HFCVs have the advantage of faster fueling and longer ranges, the development of refueling stations for HFCVs requires significant investment and planning. The infrastructure for HFCVs is currently limited, with California being the only state in the US with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations. In contrast, EVs can utilize the existing nationwide electrical system, although the transition to EVs still presents challenges, such as the need to build a charging network.
In summary, HFCVs and EVs each have their own advantages and challenges. HFCVs offer faster fueling and longer ranges but are currently more expensive due to the high cost of hydrogen fuel. On the other hand, EVs are more affordable, thanks to the falling prices of lithium-ion batteries, and benefit from the existing electrical infrastructure. However, the transition to either HFCVs or EVs requires overcoming technical and economic hurdles, including reducing the cost of hydrogen production and improving battery technology, respectively.
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Cost of hydrogen fuel
The cost of hydrogen fuel varies depending on location and the vehicle's fuel economy. In California, the average price of hydrogen fuel was $21.28/kg in November 2022, a 33% increase from July of the same year. As of 2023, the price has increased further to $36/kg at some stations.
A Toyota Mirai, one of the few hydrogen-fuelled vehicles available in the United States, has a 5.6 kg tank. At $36/kg, filling up the tank would cost around $201.60. This works out to around $0.50 per mile, or 58 cents per mile without incentives, which is significantly more expensive than a traditional gas-powered car.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is due in part to the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling. Building hydrogen fuelling stations is expensive, generally costing $1.5-$2 million each. As a result, hydrogen fuelling stations are scarce outside of California, which has the most publicly accessible stations of any state in the US.
The cost of hydrogen fuel is also affected by the production cost of hydrogen vehicles. These vehicles use advanced technology, such as fuel cells and high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, which can be expensive to manufacture. However, as hydrogen cars become more popular and technology advances, production costs are expected to decrease, making hydrogen cars more affordable.
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Cost of hydrogen fuel-cell cars in California
The cost of hydrogen fuel-cell cars in California is high compared to other vehicles. The Toyota Mirai, one of the few hydrogen fuel-cell cars available in the state, has a starting price of $49,500, which is significantly more expensive than the Tesla Model 3, the biggest-selling electric vehicle in California.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel-cell cars in California is due in part to the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refueling. There are currently only about 60 public hydrogen refueling stations in California, mostly concentrated in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The lack of widespread hydrogen infrastructure in the US makes it difficult for drivers to refuel their vehicles, limiting the appeal of hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
In addition to the high upfront cost of purchasing a hydrogen fuel-cell car, the cost of refueling these vehicles is also high and has been increasing. The average price of hydrogen at the pump in California was $21.28 per kg in November 2022, a 33% increase from $15.97 per kg in July 2022. California's largest H2 fuel retailer, True Zero, recently increased its pump price to $36 per kg.
Despite the high costs associated with hydrogen fuel-cell cars, there is some government support for the technology in California. The state is considering awarding $300 million to companies to build hydrogen fueling stations, and there are incentives for buyers of hydrogen fuel-cell cars, such as free fuel up to a certain value. However, the high costs of these vehicles and the limited infrastructure for refueling present significant barriers to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell cars in California.
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Cost of Toyota Mirai
The cost of the Toyota Mirai varies depending on the model year and trim. The 2024 Toyota Mirai XLE, for instance, has a starting price of $51,285, while the 2025 model is expected to start around $52,000. The price can go up to $69,000 depending on the trim and options.
In early 2025, Toyota offered a significant discount on the Mirai, reducing the price to around $17,000, which is over 70% off the base XLE grade. This discount made the Mirai one of the most affordable new cars in the US, specifically in Southern California, where the car is available.
The Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and as of mid-2024, there were only 54 hydrogen refueling stations in the US, with 53 of them in California. This limited infrastructure has impacted Mirai sales, with only 499 units sold in 2024, a significant decrease from the previous year.
Despite the infrastructure challenges, the Mirai offers impressive features. Its interior is often compared to Lexus in terms of luxury and comfort, with SoftTex faux leather seats, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The Mirai has a range of up to 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen, and refueling typically takes around five minutes, which is comparable to refueling a gas-powered car.
To promote the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology, Toyota has offered incentives such as complimentary fuel cards worth up to $15,000 or 6 years (whichever comes first) for purchases, and $15,000 or 3 years for leases. These incentives have been a major selling point for the Mirai, making it a more attractive option for those interested in fuel cell electric vehicles.
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Cost of hydrogen fuel-cell cars vs. traditional vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are generally more expensive than traditional vehicles. The two mainstream hydrogen cars on sale in the US, the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo, start at around $50,000 and $60,000, respectively. By comparison, the Tesla Model 3, the biggest-selling electric vehicle in California, costs $40,240 without incentives. With federal and state incentives, the price drops to $25,240.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel cell cars is due to several factors. Firstly, hydrogen fuel cell cars use advanced technology, such as fuel cells and high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, which are expensive to manufacture. Fuel cells are the core component of hydrogen cars, converting hydrogen into electricity to power the vehicle. While the cost of fuel cells has been decreasing, they still contribute significantly to the overall price of a hydrogen car. Additionally, the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refueling also affects the price of hydrogen cars. There are fewer refueling stations available compared to gasoline stations, and the costs of building and maintaining this infrastructure are often factored into the vehicle's price.
However, it is important to note that the price gap between hydrogen cars and traditional vehicles is expected to decrease over time. As hydrogen fuel cell technology advances and production costs decrease, hydrogen cars will become more affordable and competitive with traditional vehicles. Government incentives and rebates also help to offset the higher purchase price of hydrogen cars, making them more accessible to consumers.
In terms of refueling costs, hydrogen fuel cell cars can be more expensive to drive than traditional vehicles. In California, where most hydrogen refueling stations are located, the price of hydrogen at the pump has increased significantly in recent years. As a result, it is now almost 14 times more expensive to drive a Toyota Mirai in California than a comparable Tesla electric vehicle.
Despite the higher upfront cost of hydrogen fuel cell cars, the long-term cost of ownership can be more attractive. Hydrogen fuel cell cars have longer driving ranges and shorter refueling times compared to electric vehicles, which can result in cost savings over time. Additionally, the expansion of hydrogen refueling infrastructure will further reduce the costs associated with hydrogen cars, making them an increasingly viable option for consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of a fuel cell car varies depending on the make and model. The base price of the Toyota Mirai is around $49,500 to $58,000, while the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell starts at around $59,000, and the Hyundai Nexo SUV has a starting price of about $60,000.
The production cost is a primary factor influencing the price of fuel cell cars. The advanced technology used in these vehicles, such as fuel cells and high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, contributes significantly to the overall price. Additionally, the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refueling can also impact the cost.
Yes, the cost of hydrogen fuel can be significant. The price of hydrogen fuel has been increasing, and it is currently almost 14 times more expensive to drive a fuel cell car than a comparable Tesla EV in California.
Yes, government incentives and rebates can help lower the overall cost of purchasing a fuel cell car. For example, Toyota provides buyers with free hydrogen fuel up to a value of $15,000, which can make owning a fuel cell car more affordable.
