Katerina Swanson
Hydrogen fuel cell cars were once touted as the energy source of the future, but they have not become mainstream. Despite the potential of hydrogen fuel cells, the lack of refuelling infrastructure has been a major hurdle for their widespread adoption. While some companies like Toyota, Hyundai, and GM have continued to invest in the technology, most automobile companies have shifted their focus to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The high running costs and inefficiencies of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) compared to BEVs have also contributed to their limited success. However, some still see a future for FCEVs, particularly in larger vehicles or non-mobility applications that currently use diesel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen fuel cells combine | Hydrogen and oxygen via an electrochemical reaction to make electricity |
| Exhaust | Water |
| First invented | In England in the 1830s |
| Gained momentum | In the 1960s when NASA developed them for the space program |
| Lack of refueling infrastructure | Yes |
| Hydrogen refueling stations in California | A significant number are unable to dispense hydrogen |
| Hydrogen refueling stations in the UK | Very few |
| Hydrogen cars sold in the US in 2023 | 3,143 |
| Hydrogen cars sold worldwide by the end of 2022 | 70,200 |
| Honda's foray into hydrogen-powered cars | The Clarity Fuel Cell, which sold about 1,900 units worldwide, leading to its discontinuation in 2021 |
| Honda's next-generation fuel cell cost | A third of the cost of the last Clarity Fuel Cell model |
| Honda's projected sales of the FCEV | 2,000 units a year by 2025, 60,000 by 2030, and a few hundred thousand in the latter half of that decade |
| Toyota's first hydrogen-combustion car | Prius, planned for 2025 |
| Fuel cell hypercar | Viritech Apricale |
| Fuel cell vehicles by Toyota | Mirai |
| Fuel cell vehicles by Hyundai | Nexo |
| Fuel cell vehicles by Honda | Honda CR-V e:FCEV, Honda FCX Clarity, Honda Clarity |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen cars are dead, but fuel cell tech persists
Hydrogen cars were once touted as the energy source of the future, but in recent years, they have faced increasing challenges and declining popularity. The development of hydrogen fuel cells for transportation offered the promise of renewable and non-polluting power, with water as the only "exhaust" product. However, the hype around hydrogen cars seems to have faded, and they are now facing an uncertain future.
One of the major hurdles for hydrogen cars is the lack of refueling infrastructure. Internal combustion engines and hybrids can easily access gasoline at most corners and highway exits, while electric vehicles (EVs) can recharge their batteries from electrical outlets, which are ubiquitous. In contrast, hydrogen car owners often need to rely on their own home hydrogen supply or hope that their intended destination has refueling options. This lack of widespread refueling stations has hindered the adoption of hydrogen cars and made them less appealing to consumers.
The automotive industry has also shifted its focus away from hydrogen cars. Start-ups that once worked on fuel cells for the auto industry have now turned their attention to other sectors, such as aviation. Additionally, major automakers like Toyota have introduced all-electric cars, signaling a potential shift away from their previous focus on hydrogen. While Toyota continues to develop hydrogen-combustion models, the success of their electric vehicles could indicate a changing landscape.
Despite these challenges, fuel cell technology persists and continues to find applications beyond the automotive sector. Honda, for example, has expressed interest in using fuel cells for larger vehicles or non-mobility applications currently powered by diesel. They have begun trialling fuel-cell systems in commercial trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. Honda's former Europe chief, Katsushi Inoue, predicted that the "fuel cell era might take some more time," suggesting a longer timeline for the technology's maturation.
While hydrogen cars may have lost their luster, fuel cell technology still holds promise for certain use cases. The existing natural gas distribution system, for example, could be modified to pipe hydrogen into buildings to power fuel cells for energy needs. Additionally, some truck manufacturers remain committed to fuel cells, with a target of 100,000 fuel-cell trucks on European roads by 2030. However, with the rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure, the window of opportunity for hydrogen cars is narrowing.
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Lack of refuelling infrastructure is a major hurdle
The development of hydrogen fuel cells was once touted as the future of renewable, non-polluting power for the transportation sector. However, the lack of refuelling infrastructure is a significant challenge for fuel cell cars.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have the potential to achieve zero-emission transport, they are much less efficient than battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). BEVs have the advantage of building on an already extensive electric grid infrastructure, with electrical outlets readily available for charging. In contrast, fuel cell car owners often need to refuel their vehicles at specialised refuelling stations, which are not as widely available as traditional gas stations or electrical outlets. This lack of refuelling infrastructure has been a major hurdle for the widespread adoption of fuel cell cars.
For example, Honda, a Japanese auto giant, discontinued its hydrogen-powered model, the Clarity Fuel Cell, in 2021 due to low demand and inadequate refuelling infrastructure. Despite this setback, Honda remains committed to fuel-cell technology and is exploring its use in larger vehicles, such as commercial trucks, and non-mobility applications where diesel is currently used. The company has projected sales of its new FCEV model to reach 2,000 units annually by 2025 and "a few hundred thousand" in the latter half of the 2030s.
Similarly, Toyota, another major player in the fuel cell car market, has faced challenges with the adoption of its hydrogen-powered vehicles. Despite offering its patents related to hydrogen fuel cell technology to competitors for free, Toyota's Mirai fuel cell vehicle has faced a class-action lawsuit in California due to the lack of hydrogen availability. Toyota has also expanded its offerings to include all-electric cars, such as the bZ4X, signalling a shift towards battery-electric technology.
The lack of refuelling infrastructure for fuel cell cars has been a significant hurdle, leading to low demand and challenges for widespread adoption. While some companies remain committed to fuel-cell technology, particularly for larger vehicles and non-mobility applications, the future of fuel cell cars as a mainstream transportation option remains uncertain.
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Honda still sees a future for fuel-cell electric vehicles
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has stated that the company will focus on hydrogen for larger vehicles or non-mobility, which currently use diesel. Honda began trialling its new fuel-cell system in commercial trucks in China’s Hubei province in January 2023 and recently debuted a Class 8 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Concept in Ohio. The company also started a public demonstration of a heavy-duty fuel-cell truck co-developed with Isuzu in December 2023.
Honda has a vision to make battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its new vehicle sales by 2040. The company is establishing its “Honda EV Hub” in Ohio, where it will begin production of EVs in North America. Honda's experience with fuel-cell vehicles spans over 20 years, starting with the 2003 Honda FCX, the world's first zero-emission fuel-cell electric vehicle to receive government certification.
While Honda remains optimistic about the future of fuel-cell electric vehicles, the growth of the hydrogen fuelling network has been slow, and the network has underperformed projections on its expansion for decades. This lack of refuelling infrastructure, along with high costs, has been a significant hurdle for the adoption of fuel-cell cars.
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Toyota's first all-electric car could be a turning point
Toyota has been reluctant to embrace battery electric vehicles (BEVs), favouring hydrogen-powered cars instead. However, in 2022, Toyota launched its first all-electric car, the bZ4X, in the UK, US, and Japan. This could be a turning point for several reasons. Firstly, it signals that Toyota is finally embracing electric vehicles, even if the company has not entirely abandoned hydrogen. Secondly, the bZ4X offers a competitive battery warranty of ten years or one million kilometres (620,000 miles), addressing a common concern about electric vehicles. Thirdly, the bZ4X is built on the electric variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture platform (TNGA), called "e-TNGA", which was co-developed with Subaru, demonstrating Toyota's commitment to electric vehicle technology and innovation.
While the bZ4X's launch was marred by a recall, it still has potential. The car provides everything buyers expect from Toyota in terms of infotainment and electronics, including CarPlay and Android audio, wireless phone charging, USB charging ports, a centre stack screen, and voice controls. The bZ4X also has two charge modes: Standard and Extended. In Standard mode, the high-voltage battery charges up to 35 kWh, with an expected driving range of 92 miles (148 kilometres). Extended mode allows the battery to charge to its full capacity of 41.8 kWh, providing an expected driving range of 113 miles (182 kilometres).
The bZ4X is not Toyota's first foray into electric vehicles. The company previously worked with Tesla Motors and Panasonic to develop the second generation RAV4 EV, released in the US in 2012. However, the RAV4 EV was only sold in California and production ended in 2014. With the bZ4X, Toyota seems to be taking electric vehicles more seriously, and this could be a turning point not just for the company but also for the wider adoption of electric vehicles.
However, it is important to note that the bZ4X faces challenges, particularly regarding charging infrastructure. Hydrogen fuel cell cars have struggled to gain traction due to a lack of refuelling stations, and while electric vehicles can take advantage of existing electrical outlets, the bZ4X's unique charging system may require specialised infrastructure. Nonetheless, Toyota's first all-electric car could be a significant step towards a more sustainable future, and it will be interesting to see the company's future plans for electric vehicles.
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Hydrogen fuel cells are unlikely to be sustainable
Secondly, there is a lack of refueling infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles. This lack of infrastructure has been a significant hurdle for the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell cars, as refueling stations for these vehicles are scarce compared to the ubiquitous availability of gasoline stations and electrical outlets for charging electric vehicles. The cost of building and maintaining hydrogen refueling stations is also a barrier to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Additionally, the cost of fuel cells themselves needs to decrease to be competitive in the marketplace. The most expensive part of a fuel cell is manufacturing the fuel cell stack, and the cost of producing and maintaining the necessary infrastructure is high. While it is projected that the cost of fuel cell electric vehicles could become similar to that of their hybrid counterparts by 2025, the higher running costs of fuel cell vehicles compared to battery-electric vehicles remain a challenge.
Furthermore, while hydrogen fuel cells offer certain advantages such as high energy efficiency, environmental benefits, and scalability, they have struggled to gain a foothold in the market. Despite their potential to revolutionize energy consumption patterns and provide a path toward a more sustainable energy future, hydrogen fuel cells currently occupy niche markets and have not seen the widespread adoption necessary for a significant impact.
While some companies, like Honda and Volvo, continue to invest in and develop hydrogen fuel cell technology, particularly for larger vehicles and non-mobility applications, it is clear that hydrogen fuel cells face significant challenges to their sustainability and widespread adoption.
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Frequently asked questions
Fuel cell cars are vehicles that use hydrogen to generate motive power by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy.
Fuel cell cars have not taken off due to a lack of refueling infrastructure, high costs, and competition from battery-electric vehicles.
Yes, as of 2021, there were two models of hydrogen cars publicly available in select markets: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo.
Yes, Honda and Toyota are still working on fuel cell cars and view them as the next phase after battery-electric vehicles.
Fuel cells operate continuously as long as they have a steady supply of oxygen and hydrogen, and hydrogen burns cleaner than fuels such as gasoline or methane.
