Fuel Cell Cars: What's Available Now?

Fuel cell cars are vehicles that use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity and power onboard electric motors. They are zero-emission vehicles that only emit water vapour and are highly energy-efficient, with fuel cells being 2-3 times more efficient than combustion engines. While fuel cell cars are available for sale or lease, they are much rarer than electric vehicles, with only three carmakers manufacturing hydrogen cars in 2020. Since 2015, three hydrogen-powered cars have been offered for sale: the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai. In 2024, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV, an adaptation of the popular compact crossover, will be available for lease in California.

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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs)

HFCVs have several advantages over battery-electric cars. They are smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive, and they lack the lengthy charging times of EVs, taking just five minutes to refuel for another 300- to 400-mile stint. Additionally, fuel cells are 2-3 times more efficient than combustion engines, and the process of making hydrogen is energy efficient.

However, HFCVs also have some disadvantages. One of the main challenges is the availability of hydrogen fuel. For example, while plans were made for California to have 100 hydrogen stations, the current number is less than 60, and this number is not growing. This limited infrastructure can make HFCVs less convenient and accessible for drivers.

Despite this, there is still interest and development in HFCVs. Honda, for example, established the world's first fuel-cell vehicle dealer network in 2008 and introduced the Honda FCX Clarity for leasing in Japan and Southern California. Although this model was discontinued in 2015, Honda introduced the Honda CR-V e:FCEV in 2024, an adaptation of the popular compact crossover. This model will also only be available for lease and in very limited quantities. Hyundai has also been a prominent manufacturer of HFCVs, introducing the Hyundai ix35 FCEV Fuel Cell vehicle in 2014 and the Nexo in 2018. However, the Nexo was recalled in 2024 due to a risk of fuel leaks and fire.

While HFCVs currently make up a small portion of the vehicle market, there is ongoing collaboration between industry and government to expand the market for HFCVs, such as through the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership (HFCP).

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Fuel cell vehicles for all modes of transport

Fuel cell vehicles are available for all modes of transport, including cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, and ships. The most prevalent fuel cell vehicles are cars, buses, forklifts, and material handling vehicles.

Cars

Since 2015, three hydrogen-powered cars have been offered for sale from three different car companies: the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai. However, Honda has since ended production of all models of the Clarity, and Hyundai recalled all 1600 Nexo vehicles sold in the US in 2024 due to a risk of fuel leaks and fire. In 2024, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV, an adaptation of the popular compact crossover, will be available for lease in California, with a projected volume of 300 vehicles a year.

Buses

As of 2020, 5,648 hydrogen fuel cell buses were in use around the world, with 93.7% of them in China. In 2022, Total Transportation Services (TTSI), Toyota Logistics Services (TLS), UPS, and Southern Counties Express (SCE) operated a 12-month "Shore-to-Store (S2S)" project in California, deploying 10 hydrogen-powered trucks to transport goods from ports to warehouses.

Trucks

In 2020, Hyundai began manufacturing hydrogen-powered 34-ton cargo trucks under the model name XCIENT, with an initial shipment of 10 vehicles to Switzerland. These trucks can travel 400 kilometres (250 miles) on a full tank and take 8 to 20 minutes to fill up.

Motorcycles and Bicycles

While there is limited information on hydrogen fuel cell motorcycles and bicycles, it is known that fuel cells are being developed and tested in these types of vehicles.

Boats and Ships

Fuel cells are also being developed and tested in boats and ships, with a focus on zero-emission transport and the use of hydrogen as a clean energy alternative.

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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles vs. electric vehicles

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are both zero-emissions vehicles, but they have some key differences.

HFCVs are powered by an electric motor, just like EVs, but instead of a large, heavy battery, they are powered by a fuel-cell stack. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by passing hydrogen through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water vapour. This process is called reverse electrolysis. HFCVs have a small "buffer" battery that is constantly recharged by the fuel cell, but it is much smaller and lighter than the battery of an all-electric car.

One of the main advantages of HFCVs is their quick refuelling time, which is similar to that of a petrol or diesel car. Refuelling an HFCV takes only 5 to 10 minutes, compared to the 4 to 8 hours it can take to fully charge an EV. However, the availability of hydrogen fuel is a significant challenge for HFCVs. In California, for example, there are fewer than 60 hydrogen stations, and not all of them are always available for fuelling. The lack of infrastructure for HFCVs also extends to the cost of hydrogen fuel, which is generally higher than that of gasoline or electricity.

EVs, on the other hand, are powered by a large battery pack located inside the car, which the owner needs to charge by plugging into a charging outlet or station. The driving range of an EV depends on the vehicle purchased and the cost, with more expensive EVs offering longer ranges. EVs are generally cheaper to purchase than HFCVs, and there are more charging stations available for them. However, the manufacturing and disposal of EV batteries can lead to pollution and resource depletion, and the long charging times of EVs may not be suitable for long-haul trucking or similar applications.

Overall, both HFCVs and EVs offer zero-emissions driving, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. HFCVs offer quick refuelling times and long driving ranges, but they are limited by the lack of infrastructure and high fuel costs. EVs are more widely available and affordable, but their long charging times and range limitations may be inconvenient for some users.

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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles' pros and cons

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are related to electric cars, but they have distinct pros and cons. As of mid-2022, there are approximately 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, and all of them are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.

Pros

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles, emitting only water vapour. They are also smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive. They lack the long charging time of electric vehicles, taking just five minutes to refuel for another 300-400 miles. Hydrogen is an abundant natural resource and can be made from renewable energy. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are also safe, with high-pressure tanks designed to survive high-speed crashes without leaking or breaching.

Cons

The most significant disadvantage of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles is the limited availability of hydrogen fuel. As of 2024, there are only about 54 hydrogen refuelling stations in California, and Shell recently closed 12% of the state's public hydrogen fuel stations. Hydrogen fuel pumps are also frequently out of service. Hydrogen is also very expensive to transport, and there is a lack of infrastructure in place. Hydrogen fuel cells are expensive to replace, and the future of these automobiles is uncertain. Hydrogen is flammable, and there are safety concerns over the risk of electrical shock.

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Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles' availability and cost

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are related to electric cars, but they have distinct pros and cons. One of the biggest advantages of hydrogen cars over EVs is that they lack the charging time problem that EVs have. Refueling a hydrogen car takes just five minutes for another 300- to 400-mile stint. However, the most challenging disadvantage is the availability of hydrogen fuel. As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all of them in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations.

In 2024, Mirai owners filed a class-action lawsuit in California over the lack of availability of hydrogen for fuel cell electric cars. The lawsuit alleged fraudulent concealment, misrepresentation, violations of California's false advertising law, and breaches of implied warranty.

Since 2015, three hydrogen-powered cars have been offered for sale from three different car companies: the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai. In 2024, one new hydrogen vehicle was set to hit the market: the Honda CR-V e:FCEV, an adaptation of the popular compact crossover. However, it would only be available for lease in California, with a projected volume of 300 vehicles a year.

The few fuel-cell-powered models that are already available on the market still cost more than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines. The cost of hydrogen fuel is also high, with a kilogram of hydrogen costing between $10 and $17 at California hydrogen stations, equivalent to about $5 to $8.50 per gallon of gasoline. In Europe, a kilogram of hydrogen costs around 14 euros, allowing a fuel cell car to travel about 100 kilometers, making the cost per kilometer about the same as for combustion vehicles. However, if hydrogen production increases worldwide, the price per kilogram in Germany could fall to 4 to 6 euros by 2030.

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