Rajan Wilcox
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are an alternative to electric vehicles, offering a similar range and quick refuelling experience to traditional cars, cheaper costs in some cases, and zero harmful emissions. However, the UK currently has a limited hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, with only about a dozen stations across the country. This lack of infrastructure is a significant challenge for the adoption of hydrogen cars. In this context, how much does hydrogen fuel cost in the UK, and is it a feasible option for consumers?
Hydrogen Fuel for Cars in the UK
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost per kg | Between £10 and £21 |
| Cost per 100km | Around £11.40 |
| Refuelling time | 5 minutes |
| Number of fuelling stations in the UK | 11-15 |
| Cost of the Hyundai Nexo | £69,000 - £70,000 |
| Cost of the Toyota Mirai | £49,995 - £65,000 |
| Range of Mirai | 400-402 miles |
| Range of Nexo | 414 miles |
| Environmental impact | No harmful tailpipe emissions, but the process of obtaining hydrogen can have an environmental impact |
| Safety | Hydrogen fuel tanks are considered safe and have been through rigorous testing |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel costs £10-£15 per kg in the UK
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are an alternative to electric cars and traditional petrol or diesel cars. Hydrogen fuel costs £10-£15 per kg in the UK, which means a 62-mile (100km) journey in the Hyundai Nexo, for example, will cost around £11.40. An equivalent diesel car would cost around £5.81 for a 100km journey, with a petrol-powered car costing around £7.11.
The cost of hydrogen fuel varies, with some providers charging £12 per kg, and others charging £21 per kg. The UK's largest hydrogen station operator, Motive Fuels, produces green hydrogen for around £21 per kg. However, the cost of hydrogen fuel in the UK is generally between £10 and £15 per kg.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars have been available since 2014 when Toyota released the first hydrogen car to the public, the Mirai. Since then, progress has been slow, and there are currently only two hydrogen cars available in the UK automotive market: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. These cars are expensive to buy, with the Hyundai Nexo costing around £70,000 and the Toyota Mirai costing £50,000.
One of the biggest challenges facing hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of infrastructure. There are currently only around a dozen hydrogen fuelling stations in the UK, with the majority located near the M25 in south-east England. Without a wider network of refuelling stations, hydrogen fuel cell cars will not become mainstream. However, major fuel brands, including Shell, are moving to install facilities, and the UK government has backed a £9bn investment in the development of the hydrogen sector.
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Hydrogen cars are expensive to buy
The high cost of hydrogen cars is a significant barrier to their uptake, especially when compared to the cost of electric vehicles. The success of hydrogen fuel cell cars depends on a range of factors, including the cost of hydrogen production and improvements to infrastructure, such as increasing the number of refilling stations.
In the UK, there are currently only a handful of hydrogen filling stations, with most located close to the M25 in south-east England. This lack of infrastructure is a significant challenge for the widespread adoption of hydrogen cars. According to the Petrol Retailer's Association, around 400 refuelling points are needed for hydrogen cars to become truly usable.
Despite the high upfront cost of hydrogen cars, they offer some economic benefits to drivers. As ultra-low emission vehicles, they are exempt from vehicle excise duty and the London Congestion Charge, as well as other clean air zones like those in Birmingham and Leeds. However, the running costs of hydrogen cars are currently higher than those of conventional or battery-electric vehicles. Hydrogen fuel costs between £10 and £15 per kg in the UK, with some sources stating a cost of around £12 per kg. This means that refuelling a hydrogen car can be more expensive than fuelling a petrol, diesel, or electric car.
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Running costs are higher than for conventional or BEV cars
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are generally more expensive to run than conventional or BEV cars. In the UK, hydrogen costs about £10 to £15 per kg, with some sources stating a price of £12 per kg. This means that filling up a hydrogen car's tank will cost between £63 and £95, depending on the car's mileage range and the weight of hydrogen it can hold. For example, the Hyundai Nexo, with a mileage range of 414 miles and a 6.33kg tank, will cost between £63 and £95 to fill up.
In contrast, a diesel car with a fuel economy of 55mpg will cost around £6.76 to cover 100km, while a petrol car with a fuel economy of 49mpg will cost around £7.48 for the same distance. Additionally, charging a BEV, such as the Hyundai Kona, will cost approximately £2.79 per 100km at the average UK household electricity rate.
The high running costs of hydrogen fuel cell cars are primarily due to the high price of hydrogen fuel. Hydrogen fuel is measured in kilogrammes instead of litres, and the cost per kg is significantly higher than that of petrol or diesel. For example, the Mirai, a prominent hydrogen fuel cell car, has a 5.6-kilogram tank, which costs around £84 to fill up. In comparison, a petrol-powered Lexus LS with an 85-litre tank costs approximately £122.40 to fill up at the current UK petrol price of £1.44 per litre.
The lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the UK also contributes to the high running costs of hydrogen fuel cell cars. There are currently only around a dozen hydrogen fuelling stations in the UK, with most of them located near the M25 in the south-east of England. This limited availability of refuelling stations can result in higher prices for hydrogen fuel and inconvenience for car owners who have to travel long distances to refuel their vehicles.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have higher running costs than conventional or BEV cars, it is important to note that the cost of hydrogen fuel and the availability of refuelling stations may improve in the future. The UK government has shown support for the development of the hydrogen sector with a £9 billion investment. Additionally, major fuel brands like Shell are working to install more hydrogen fuelling facilities. These efforts could potentially drive down the cost of hydrogen fuel and make it more accessible, reducing the running costs of hydrogen fuel cell cars in the long run.
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There are very few hydrogen filling stations in the UK
Hydrogen cars were first introduced by Toyota in 2014, and since then, there hasn't been significant progress. As of 2021, there were only around a dozen hydrogen filling stations in the UK, with most of them being close to the M25 in England's south-east. This number has increased slightly, and as of August 2024, there are just over 15 hydrogen refuelling stations across the country.
The development of hydrogen refuelling stations is driven by both the UK government and private companies, and this growth is crucial for encouraging more people to switch to hydrogen-powered cars. The current network, while small, covers several regions, making it possible for drivers to refuel their hydrogen cars in various parts of the UK. The stations are strategically located to ensure access for as many drivers as possible. For example, in Aberdeen, two stations can be found at Aberdeen Council and Aberdeen Hydrogen Centre, and in the Midlands, Birmingham is a key location with a station at Tyseley Energy Park and another at the University of Birmingham.
The limited number of hydrogen refuelling stations is one of the challenges facing hydrogen fuel cell cars (FCEVs). Major fuel brands, including Shell, are moving to install more facilities, but at the moment, there are still fewer than 200 across Europe. The expansion of the hydrogen refuelling network is essential for the wider adoption of hydrogen fuel cell cars and for making a significant impact on environmental sustainability in the UK.
Despite the limited number of refuelling stations, hydrogen-powered cars offer several advantages. They are incredibly efficient, with long driving ranges comparable to many petrol or diesel vehicles, making them suitable for various types of travel. Additionally, refuelling time is quick, generally taking about five minutes to fill a hydrogen tank, making them highly convenient for those who are always on the go.
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Hydrogen fuel is a compelling case for sustainable transport
One of the key advantages of hydrogen fuel is its abundance. Hydrogen is the universe's most abundant substance and can be obtained through various methods such as electrolysis, natural gas, and biological production using algae or bacteria. This makes it a readily available fuel source that can be produced using locally available renewable energy.
Another benefit of hydrogen fuel is its quick refuelling process. Filling up a hydrogen car takes around five minutes, which is significantly faster than the 30 minutes required to charge an electric vehicle. This makes FCEVs more convenient for long-distance travel and better suited for heavier vehicles such as industrial transport, trains, ships, and even planes.
However, there are some challenges to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. As of 2021, there were only around a dozen hydrogen fuelling stations in the UK, with most of them located near the M25 in South-East England. This limited infrastructure can hinder the convenience and accessibility of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Additionally, the cost of hydrogen fuel and hydrogen-powered vehicles is currently higher than that of conventional or electric cars. The Hyundai Nexo, one of the few FCEVs available in the UK, costs around £70,000, and the running costs are also higher than those of conventional or electric cars. However, there are indications that costs could come down as the technology advances.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen fuel remains a compelling case for sustainable transport due to its environmental benefits, quick refuelling, and suitability for various applications. With advancements in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation technologies, it has the potential to play a vital role in decarbonising the transport sector and achieving net-zero emissions targets.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen fuel costs between £10 and £15 per kg in the UK.
Filling up a hydrogen-powered car with a 6.33kg tank, offering a range of 414 miles, will cost between £63 and £95.
The cost of fuelling a hydrogen-powered car is comparable to that of a petrol or diesel car. For example, to cover 100km, a hydrogen-powered car will cost around £11.40, a diesel car will cost around £6.76, and a petrol car will cost around £7.48.
Hydrogen-powered cars are generally more expensive to buy than electric cars, and there is a lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the UK. As a result, hydrogen-powered cars have not seen the same uptake as electric cars and are not a realistic option for most people in the UK at the moment.
