Ameer Randolph
The cost of hydrogen fuel in California has been a topic of discussion and debate in recent years. With the introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as the Mirai, some consumers have expressed concerns about the economics of hydrogen fuel. The high cost of hydrogen fuel, limited refuelling stations, and the environmental impact of hydrogen production have been cited as drawbacks. However, incentives such as discounts on vehicle prices and free hydrogen fuel have been offered to promote the adoption of hydrogen fuel and technology. As of 2025, Toyota offered the Mirai with a substantial discount and $15,000 worth of free fuel, making it the cheapest new car in the US market at the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen car mileage | Low |
| Hydrogen fuel cost | Just over 2 miles per dollar |
| Hydrogen fuel station coverage | Poor |
| Hydrogen production | Most is produced with natural gas |
| Technology | Average |
| Resale value | Low |
| Toyota Mirai XLE price | $15,000 with $15,000 of free fuel |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel costs in Los Angeles
The cost of hydrogen fuel in Los Angeles, California, varies depending on the vehicle and other factors. Some users have reported that the Mirai, a hydrogen-powered car, costs just over 2 miles per dollar to fuel, while a Jeep costs just over 3 miles per dollar. This indicates that the Mirai has lower fuel efficiency than the Jeep, resulting in higher fuel costs for the Mirai.
In 2021, a user on Reddit shared their experience purchasing a used Mirai in Los Angeles for $10,000 with zero APR and $15,000 of free hydrogen fuel included. They later sold the car in 2023 during a used car shortage for $8,000, resulting in a net cost of $2,000 for two years of usage. This individual had access to four hydrogen stations within a 20-mile radius, making refuelling convenient despite the limited station availability.
Toyota has also offered the Mirai XLE in California at a price of just over $15,000 with an additional $15,000 of free fuel. This pricing strategy was implemented following a sales slump attributed to high H2 fuel prices and widespread refuelling problems in the state.
In terms of the cost of hydrogen fuel per unit, a new hydrogen station in California was reported to retail hydrogen at $13.14 per kilogram in 2021. However, it is important to note that fuel prices can fluctuate over time due to various market factors.
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Hydrogen refuelling problems
Hydrogen refuelling stations (HRSs) are crucial for supporting the growing number of hydrogen-powered vehicles on the roads. However, there are several problems with hydrogen refuelling that have been identified. Firstly, there is the issue of refuelling infrastructure. HRSs are still relatively scarce, and the process of refuelling hydrogen vehicles can be tricky and time-consuming. This is partly due to the technology used in HRSs, which is still considered "immature". The refuelling process involves filling the vehicle tank with compressed gas at a pressure of 700 bar for light-duty vehicles and 350 bar for all other vehicles. To achieve a short refuelling time, the filling rate must be controlled accurately, as an inappropriate filling rate can cause a rapid increase in the inner temperature of the storage cylinder, leading to safety issues and potential damage to the tank walls.
Another issue is the cost of hydrogen fuel, which has been a factor in the sales slump of hydrogen cars in California. The economics of hydrogen cars have been questioned, as the cost of fuelling can be double that of a conventional car. Additionally, the environmental benefits of hydrogen-powered vehicles have been called into question, as most of the hydrogen used is produced with natural gas, which does not significantly reduce emissions.
The availability of fuel and the number of refuelling stations are also concerns. HRSs need to be sized appropriately to meet the local demand for fuel, or they will result in increased waiting times for users and losses for owners. Additionally, the stations need to be located close enough to end customers to enable practical transportation times for refuelling.
Overall, while hydrogen-powered vehicles offer a promising alternative to conventional gasoline cars, the refuelling problems present significant challenges that need to be addressed for widespread adoption to become a reality.
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Hydrogen fuel stations in California
California is at the forefront of fuel cell electric vehicle deployment, with hydrogen fuel stations in the state supporting the rollout of FCEVs. As of 2024, there were 54 retail hydrogen stations available in the United States, with most of them concentrated in California. These stations are primarily located in northern California near San Francisco and southern California near Los Angeles and San Diego.
The average price of hydrogen fuel for a light-duty fuel cell electric vehicle in California was $16.51 per kilogram in 2019. However, with the opening of more retail stations, the price has dropped to more competitive ranges. For example, the True Zero Oakland hydrogen station offered hydrogen at $13.11 per kilogram in late 2019. Additionally, automakers offered free fuel to drivers of fuel cell electric cars for three years to bridge the time until the market becomes more competitive with other fuel options.
The number of hydrogen fuel stations in California is expected to increase further. Mobile hydrogen fuelers, which store liquefied or compressed hydrogen and dispensing equipment onboard a trailer, are being developed to support the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure. Station developers follow safety protocols, the fire code, and work with local authorities to maximize station safety.
Despite the growing number of stations and efforts to improve safety, some challenges remain. The coverage of stations is still considered poor by some users, and the economics of hydrogen fuel are not always favourable, with high fuel costs and the environmental impact of producing hydrogen from natural gas. However, as more stations are built and production scales up, it is expected that fuel costs will decrease, and the business case for building more stations will improve.
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Hydrogen fuel vs gasoline
Hydrogen fuel and gasoline are two very different fuels with their own advantages and disadvantages.
One of the main differences is the combustion process. Gasoline engines use a spark-ignited process, while hydrogen fuel cells do not, theoretically, produce any harmful byproducts. However, the high temperatures of hydrogen combustion create the pollutant NOx, which automakers are working to eliminate. Hydrogen fuel cells offer a solution to this problem, producing no NOx or other air pollutants.
Another difference is the air-to-fuel ratio. Hydrogen can run a much leaner ratio, as high as 180:1, compared to 37:1 for efficient mass-production gasoline engines, making it extremely efficient. However, at its highest ratios, it is difficult to generate a lot of power. Hydrogen also has a higher flame velocity, which is advantageous as it creates a better ratio of air that can be burned quicker.
The ignition temperatures of hydrogen are also much higher, at around 500 degrees Celsius, compared to 230 degrees Celsius for gasoline. This means hydrogen has a higher octane level, allowing the engine to run at higher compression ratios. Hydrogen also has better diffusivity, dispersing more quickly, which helps to spread out the fuel and burn it more efficiently.
However, one of the main drawbacks of hydrogen is its density. It is very dense in terms of energy to volume, which means it takes up more space in a combustion chamber, reducing its power output. This also means a hydrogen fuel tank requires more space, impacting the design of the vehicle.
In terms of refuelling infrastructure, gasoline is far more widely available than hydrogen. As of 2022, there were only 67 public hydrogen refuelling stations in the United States, with most of them located in California. This limited infrastructure makes purchasing a hydrogen vehicle infeasible for most people, although commercial vehicles can sometimes overcome this issue by building private refuelling stations.
The cost of hydrogen fuel has also been an issue, with reports of high fuel costs in California. However, some automakers have offered incentives, such as Toyota, which offered $15,000 of free fuel with the purchase of a hydrogen car in California.
In conclusion, hydrogen fuel has several efficiency advantages over gasoline, but it faces challenges in terms of storage, refuelling infrastructure, and cost. Gasoline, on the other hand, is more widely available and power-dense, making it the default choice for now. However, with advancements in technology and infrastructure, hydrogen fuel may become a more viable option in the future.
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Hydrogen fuel economics
California has been at the forefront of encouraging the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) as a means of complying with the state's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and internal combustion engine ban. However, the high cost of hydrogen fuel has been a significant challenge for the widespread adoption of FCVs.
Since 2014, hydrogen fuel in California has been priced at approximately $14.00 per kilogram (kg), equivalent to $14 per gallon of gasoline. In 2021, the retail price of hydrogen was even higher, at $16.50/kg. These prices make the cost of FCV fuel two to three times higher per mile than that of conventional gasoline vehicles.
To address this issue, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has implemented several incentives to reduce the incremental cost of hydrogen-powered vehicles. For instance, the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) provides vouchers to eligible fleets for the purchase of qualified electric, hybrid, or hydrogen trucks and buses. Additionally, the state encourages the development of commercial hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and incentivizes state employees to use alternative fuel vehicles through preferential parking and access to electric vehicle charging.
Despite these efforts, some critics argue that the economics of hydrogen fuel in California don't work due to the high cost of fuel, limited station coverage, and the fact that most hydrogen is produced using natural gas, which negates potential emissions reductions. However, supporters of hydrogen fuel cell technology argue that the high fuel economy of FCVs helps to offset the high fuel costs and that future hydrogen fuel costs will be lower due to greater economies of scale.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2025, Toyota offered its Mirai XLE model for just over $15,000 with $15,000 of free fuel.
The cost to refuel a Mirai in California is just over 2 miles per dollar.
Hydrogen cars are a good alternative to traditional gasoline cars. They are also environmentally friendly and can help reduce emissions.
