Sylvie Willis
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are an alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. Hydrogen fuel cells combine hydrogen stored in a tank with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with water vapour as the by-product. Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons, and the cost of refuelling a hydrogen-powered car is high, at around $16 per kilogram. However, hydrogen fuel cells have a short refuelling time of just a few minutes, and the cars can typically travel 250-350 miles between fill-ups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How hydrogen fuel is measured | By kilograms |
| Full tank for a Mirai | 5 kilograms |
| Miles per gallon equivalent of hydrogen gas | 66 MPGe |
| Cost of hydrogen fuel | $16.51 per kilogram (California, 2019) |
| Cost of hydrogen fuel | $13.11 per kilogram (True Zero Oakland hydrogen station, California, 2019) |
| Cost of hydrogen fuel | $10 per kilogram (projected price for early days of low-volume sales) |
| Cost of hydrogen fuel | $1.80 per kilogram (using compressed electrolysis) |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' range | 250-350 miles |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' range | 70 miles per kilogram of fuel (projected) |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' range | 60 miles per kilogram (Hyundai Nexo) |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' refueling time | A few minutes |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' refueling process | Almost identical to a typical gas-powered vehicle |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' braking system | Regenerative braking |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles' suitability for long-distance driving | Not suitable |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons
- Hydrogen fuel is expensive, but car manufacturers offer incentives
- Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy source, but its production is not
- Hydrogen fuel is abundant, but refuelling stations are scarce
- Hydrogen fuel cells are efficient, but face infrastructure challenges
Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a type of clean energy vehicle, powered by hydrogen gas. The process of fuelling a hydrogen fuel cell car is almost identical to fuelling a typical gas-powered vehicle. However, hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons.
A full tank of hydrogen fuel for a Toyota Mirai is approximately five kilograms, which costs around $80. This will get you about 66 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of hydrogen gas, or 380 miles in total. This is based on the EPA's methodology, which calculates that 1kg of hydrogen will get you 60 miles.
The price of hydrogen fuel is projected to decrease as more retail stations open and higher utilisation is achieved. For example, in 2019, the True Zero Oakland hydrogen station opened and was able to offer hydrogen at $13.11 per kilogram, a lower price than other stations. The cost of hydrogen fuel is also dependent on the process of its production. Currently, most hydrogen is produced from natural gas or coal, which is extremely polluting.
As the hydrogen fuel industry is still in its infancy, the cost of the fuel is high. However, to encourage the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, some automakers are offering free fuel for three years, which will hopefully make hydrogen gas more affordable for drivers in the future.
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Hydrogen fuel is expensive, but car manufacturers offer incentives
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are powered by hydrogen gas, which is measured in kilograms. The cost of hydrogen fuel is high, with prices varying from $13 to $36 per kilogram. This means that refuelling a hydrogen-powered car can cost around $100 or more.
Despite the high cost of hydrogen fuel, car manufacturers have offered various incentives to encourage the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. For example, Toyota offers a $15,000 hydrogen gas card to all Mirai owners, covering around three years of fuel costs. Honda and Hyundai have also offered similar incentives, providing complimentary hydrogen fuel for limited periods to buyers and lessees of their hydrogen-powered vehicles. These incentives can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership for hydrogen fuel cell cars, making them more financially competitive with conventional cars.
In addition to manufacturer incentives, there are also government initiatives and subsidies that support the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The US Department of Energy offers various financial incentives for hydrogen and fuel cell projects, including tax credits and funding for manufacturing projects that produce fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure. California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations, offers additional incentives such as the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which provides rebates of up to $4,500 (or $7,500 for income-qualified purchasers) for fuel cell electric cars.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have high fuel costs, car manufacturers and governments are working to address this issue through incentives and subsidies. These initiatives aim to make hydrogen-powered cars more affordable and accessible to consumers, reducing the financial barrier to adopting this clean energy technology. As the industry develops more efficient methods for transporting and storing hydrogen gas, it is expected that the price of hydrogen fuel will become more competitive with traditional fuel options.
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Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy source, but its production is not
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are an alternative to traditional gas-powered cars. Hydrogen fuel cells produce energy by consuming hydrogen fuel and creating water and electricity. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use electric motors powered by hydrogen gas. The process of refuelling a hydrogen fuel cell car is similar to refuelling a traditional gas-powered car. However, instead of gasoline, the car is refuelled with hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy source as it does not produce planet-warming emissions when consumed in a fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel cells produce only water and electricity. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of resources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. However, the current production of hydrogen is not clean. Most hydrogen is produced from natural gas or coal through an energy-intensive process that results in significant climate pollution. The production of hydrogen from natural gas also emits planet-warming emissions, contributing to the climate crisis.
There are two main types of hydrogen production: "green" and "blue". Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen components through electrolysis, powered by renewable energy. Blue hydrogen is produced by extracting it from natural gas under conditions where most carbon dioxide emissions are captured and stored. While both types of hydrogen have the potential to be clean, they are not yet available at scale.
The use of hydrogen fuel also presents some challenges. Hydrogen is extremely flammable and can catch fire even in small concentrations. Additionally, the transportation of hydrogen increases the risk of leaks, which can reduce the climate benefits of using hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel is also currently expensive, with an average price of $16.51 per kilogram in California in 2019. However, as more retail stations open and utilization increases, the price is projected to drop to more competitive ranges.
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Hydrogen fuel is abundant, but refuelling stations are scarce
Hydrogen fuel is the most abundant chemical element in the universe, contributing to 75% of its mass. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use electric motors powered by hydrogen gas. The methodology of fuelling a hydrogen fuel cell car is almost identical to a typical gas-powered vehicle. However, hydrogen fuel stations are currently scarce.
While hydrogen fuel is abundant, it is very scarce as a gas on Earth, comprising less than one part per million by volume. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of resources, including natural gas, nuclear power, biogas, and renewable power like solar and wind. Most hydrogen is made by steam-reforming natural gas, but some hydrogen is also made by electrolysis, passing a current of renewable electricity through water.
The challenge is producing hydrogen gas on a large scale to fuel our homes and businesses. Hydrogen fuel infrastructure needs to keep up with consumer demand and carbon neutrality goals. Hydrogen refuelling stations are key infrastructures that are rapidly spreading out to support the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles. China has the highest number of hydrogen fuelling stations for road vehicles worldwide, followed by Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the US. In the US, most stations are clustered in urban areas, with stations in destination locations like Santa Barbara, Napa, and Truckee.
The price of hydrogen fuel is also high, at $16.51 per kilogram in California in 2019. However, as more retail stations open and have higher utilization, the price per kilogram of hydrogen is projected to drop to ranges more competitive with the prices of gasoline. Automakers are also offering free fuel for three years to bridge the time it takes for the market to become more competitive with other fuel options.
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Hydrogen fuel cells are efficient, but face infrastructure challenges
Hydrogen fuel cells are an efficient energy source with a wide range of applications, from powering vehicles to providing electricity for critical infrastructure like hospitals and data centres. Hydrogen fuel cells operate through an electrochemical process, where hydrogen gas and oxygen combine to generate electrical power without combustion. This process occurs in a fuel cell composed of three main components: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. Hydrogen molecules are split into electrons and protons at the anode, with the protons passing through the electrolyte membrane and the electrons forced through a circuit to generate an electric current. This process results in a high energy efficiency of 40-60%, significantly higher than the 25% efficiency of traditional internal combustion engines.
However, despite their efficiency, hydrogen fuel cells face infrastructure challenges. Hydrogen fuel is currently expensive, with an average price of $16.51 per kilogram in California in 2019. The high cost is partly due to the fuel's production process, which is often associated with planet-warming emissions. Additionally, the industry is still developing efficient methods for transporting and storing hydrogen gas, making it challenging to integrate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as a viable clean energy option for drivers. The scarcity of hydrogen refuelling stations is a significant hurdle, as highlighted by experiences with the Toyota Mirai, where drivers have struggled to find refuelling stations, leading to high costs and inconvenience.
The integration of hydrogen fuel cells into our energy systems is crucial for transitioning to a more sustainable energy landscape. Hydrogen fuel cells offer a clean and reliable alternative energy source, and their modular design allows for scalability to meet diverse energy demands. They can also operate independently of the grid, making them invaluable in regions with compromised conventional power infrastructures due to natural disasters. However, to realise the full potential of hydrogen fuel cells, infrastructure developments are necessary to improve accessibility and reduce costs for consumers.
Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles face challenges in long-distance driving due to the limited availability of refuelling stations. While they excel in local or city driving, utilising regenerative braking to conserve energy, their performance over long distances with minimal braking is less efficient. This limitation impacts their viability for certain use cases, particularly for long-haul trucks or ships, which are more challenging to electrify.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilograms, not gallons.
The cost of hydrogen fuel is dependent on the weight of hydrogen being purchased. The average price of hydrogen fuel in California is $16.51 per kilogram. However, some stations offer hydrogen at a lower rate of $13.11 per kilogram.
Hydrogen-powered cars can carry enough fuel to travel 250-350 miles. This means that they need to be refuelled once every two weeks if driven locally or in the city.
Hydrogen-powered cars can be refuelled in just a few minutes, which is much quicker than the time required to charge an electric car.
Hydrogen fuel can be purchased at specialised hydrogen stations. However, the availability of these stations is currently limited, with most of them concentrated in California.
