Mercedes Mullins
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are zero-emissions vehicles that can be refuelled in a similar way to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. The cost of filling a fuel cell car with hydrogen gas varies depending on location and vehicle type, but it typically ranges from $13 to $16 per kilogram in the US and €14 per kilogram in Europe. This is roughly equivalent to $14 per gallon of gasoline and a fuel cell car can travel about 100 kilometres on one kilogram of hydrogen. The refueling process for hydrogen vehicles is quick and easy, taking around 3-5 minutes for a full tank.
How much to fill a fuel cell car with hydrogen gas
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost per kg in the US | $13 to $16 |
| Cost per kg in California | $14 to $16.50 |
| Cost per kg in Germany | €14 |
| Cost per kg in Oakland, California | $13.11 |
| Cost per kg in Canada | $13 to $16 |
| Cost per kg in the UK | £14 |
| Average fuel economy of a FCV | 60 miles per kg |
| Average fuel economy of a gasoline car | 30 mpg |
| Average fuel economy of a midsize gasoline hybrid | 42 mpg |
| Average refuelling time | 3-5 minutes |
| Energy density of 1 kg of hydrogen | 1 gallon of gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 70 MPGe |
| Driving range | 300 miles |
| Hydrogen storage tank pressure options | 35 MPa vs. 70 MPa |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are zero-emissions vehicles
The cost of filling up a hydrogen car varies depending on the car and the region. In the US, filling up a hydrogen car costs between $78 and $90, with hydrogen priced between $13 and $16 per kilogram. In California, the average price is $16.51 per kilogram, although some stations offer hydrogen at a lower price of $13.11 per kilogram. In Germany, a kilogram of hydrogen costs around €14, although this price could fall to €4-6 by 2030 if hydrogen production increases.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer several benefits. They are quiet, highly energy-efficient, and have a similar range and performance to their gasoline counterparts. They can also travel further on an equivalent amount of fuel. However, they are generally more expensive to acquire than comparable conventional cars, and the fuel is pricier than gasoline or electricity.
Safety is a key consideration for hydrogen vehicles due to the flammability of hydrogen. However, hydrogen vehicles have been extensively crash-tested, and the hydrogen is stored in thick-walled tanks to prevent leaks and reduce the risk of explosion.
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Hydrogen gas costs $13 to $16 per kg
The cost of filling up a hydrogen car depends on the car and incentives where you live. On average, filling up a hydrogen car costs between $78 and $90. The price of hydrogen gas per kg varies, but it typically costs between $13 and $16 per kg. This is roughly the same cost as a gallon of gasoline.
In California, hydrogen has been retailed for approximately $14 per kg, which is equivalent to $14 per gallon of gasoline. In 2021, hydrogen retailed for between $8.50 and $16.50 per kg, which was higher than gasoline prices. However, the price per kilogram of hydrogen is projected to drop as more retail stations open and utilization increases. For example, the True Zero Oakland hydrogen station in California opened in late 2019 with three times the capacity of previous stations and offered hydrogen at $13.11 per kg.
In Germany, a kilogram of hydrogen costs around €14, and a fuel cell car can travel about 100 kilometers on one kilogram of hydrogen. This makes the cost per kilometer of a hydrogen car roughly the same as for combustion vehicles. If hydrogen production increases, the price per kilogram in Germany could decrease to €4-6 by 2030.
The high fuel cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) is due to hydrogen's unique physical properties, as well as the costs of compression, cooling, transport, and storage. However, hydrogen can be produced anywhere with access to electricity and water, and transportation distances could be reduced in the future as the infrastructure expands.
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Hydrogen cars generate electricity onboard
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are related to electric cars but differ in how they store energy. Hydrogen cars generate electricity onboard in their fuel cells, where hydrogen (H2) is combined with oxygen (O2) from the ambient air. This process generates electricity, heat, and water as its byproducts. The electricity generated in the fuel cell takes two routes, depending on the driving situation. It either flows to the electric motor to directly drive the vehicle, or it charges a battery for temporary storage until the energy is needed for driving. This "buffer" battery is significantly smaller and lighter than the battery of an all-electric car, and it is constantly recharged by the fuel cell.
The refueling process for hydrogen vehicles is similar to that of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Filling up a hydrogen car takes about the same time as filling up a gasoline, ethanol, or diesel car, between 3-5 minutes for a full tank. The cost to fill up a hydrogen car in the United States is approximately $78 to $90, depending on the car and local incentives. In California, the average price of hydrogen for light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (passenger cars) is $16.51 per kilogram, but prices at some stations are as low as $13.11 per kilogram. A kilogram of hydrogen is equivalent to two gallons of fuel in terms of energy, and a fuel cell car can travel about 100 kilometers on one kilogram of hydrogen.
Hydrogen vehicles have the potential to be ecologically sustainable, with the only emissions being water and heat. However, the production, compression, cooling, transport, and storage of hydrogen are complex and energy-intensive processes. Hydrogen production requires electrical energy, and if this electricity comes from renewable sources, hydrogen production can have a neutral carbon footprint.
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Hydrogen filling is similar to gasoline filling
Filling a car with hydrogen fuel shares many similarities with filling a car with gasoline. Hydrogen fuel is usually delivered to filling stations by truck, the same way gasoline is, but it can also be generated on-site by separating hydrogen from water or natural gas. Hydrogen can also be transported through pipelines, and in California, there are hundreds of miles of hydrogen pipelines already in operation.
Hydrogen filling stations are often located at existing gas stations, and the dispensers look very similar to those for gasoline. However, hydrogen dispensers have different nozzles and hoses, and the hydrogen itself is stored in above-ground tanks, unlike gasoline, which is stored underground. Hydrogen is stored at high pressures of up to 10,000 pounds per square inch, and there are two standards for compression: half-pressure H35 and full-pressure H70. Higher pressure means a higher range, with a full tank of H70 providing a range of 312 miles, comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles.
The process of refuelling a hydrogen-powered car is similar to that of a gasoline car and takes about the same amount of time—around three to five minutes for a full tank. The driver simply locks the fuel dispenser onto the gas tank and lets the hydrogen flow. Refuelling is safe, with dispensers equipped with safety features such as breakaway hoses, leak detection sensors, and grounding mechanisms to prevent accidents.
While the current price of hydrogen is higher than gasoline, fuel cells are more efficient than gasoline engines, resulting in lower overall greenhouse gas emissions. As more retail stations open and utilisation increases, the price of hydrogen is expected to become more competitive with gasoline. Initiatives to increase the production of renewable hydrogen fuel, such as those in California, and the expansion of infrastructure, will also help to drive down costs.
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Hydrogen fuel costs more per mile than gasoline
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles generate electricity onboard in their fuel cells by combining hydrogen (H2) with oxygen (O2) from the ambient air. The refueling process for hydrogen vehicles is quite similar to that of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles powered by gasoline, ethanol, or diesel. However, hydrogen fuel costs more per mile than gasoline.
The cost to fill up a hydrogen car depends on the car and the incentives available in your location. On average, it costs between $78 and $90 to fill up a hydrogen car, with a range of more than 300 miles on a complete refill. The fuel economy is around 70 MPGe (miles per gasoline gallon equivalent). In California, the average price of hydrogen for light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (passenger cars) is $16.51 per kilogram, while some stations offer prices as low as $13.11 per kilogram. A kilogram of hydrogen is equivalent to two gallons of fuel in terms of energy, and a fuel cell car can travel about 100 kilometers on one kilogram of hydrogen. This means that a full tank of hydrogen fuel for a passenger car can cost between $65 and $165, depending on the station and the vehicle's efficiency.
In contrast, the cost of gasoline per gallon is significantly lower. Based on the national average in the United States, the retail price of gasoline is $3.35 per gallon. The cost of crude oil, federal and state taxes, refining costs, distribution, and marketing all contribute to this price. While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have the advantage of producing no harmful emissions, the higher cost of hydrogen fuel per mile compared to gasoline is a significant consideration for consumers.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is primarily due to the costs of compression, cooling, transport, and storage. Hydrogen is more complex and energy-intensive to transport and store than gasoline or diesel. Additionally, the current infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations is still developing, and the limited number of stations can impact the price. However, as more retail stations open and utilization increases, the price per kilogram of hydrogen is projected to decrease and become more competitive with gasoline prices.
In conclusion, while hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer environmental benefits and a similar refueling process to conventional vehicles, the higher cost of hydrogen fuel per mile compared to gasoline is a challenge that the industry needs to address to make hydrogen-powered transportation more accessible and affordable for consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost to fill up a hydrogen car is approximately $78 to $90, depending on the car and where you live. The price of hydrogen gas is between $13 and $16 per kilogram.
It takes around 3 to 5 minutes to fill up a hydrogen fuel cell car with hydrogen gas, which is similar to the time it takes to fill up a car with gasoline.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars can travel over 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen gas. The fuel economy is around 60 to 70 miles per kilogram of hydrogen.
