Rajan Wilcox
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are electric cars that use hydrogen gas and oxygen to create electricity and power the motor. Unlike traditional electric cars, they do not require a large, heavy battery and can be refuelled at a hydrogen station in a similar way to a conventional car. Hydrogen-powered cars produce zero emissions and can deliver 300 miles or more per tank of fuel. However, they are much rarer than electric vehicles, with only 17,000 or fewer on US roads as of mid-2022. So, what is the mileage of a hydrogen-fuelled car?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Hydrogen |
| Fuel Cell | Converts hydrogen into electricity |
| Power | 182-hp electric motor |
| Transmission | Direct-drive transmission |
| Mileage | 300+ miles per tank of fuel; 402 miles for Mirai XLE; 357 miles for Mirai Limited |
| Refueling Time | 5 minutes |
| Safety | Equipped with hydrogen sensors and automatic valve closure in case of a leak or collision |
| Fuel Economy | 76 MPGe city and 71 MPGe highway for the XLE trim; 67 MPGe city and 64 MPGe highway for the Limited |
| Warranty | Limited – 3 years or 36,000 miles; Powertrain – 5 years or 60,000 miles; Electrical components – 8 years or 100,000 miles |
| Interior | Spacious for 5-foot-6-inch individuals; may feel cramped for 6-foot individuals |
| Performance | 0-60 mph in 9.1 seconds; top speed of 106 mph |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars that use hydrogen gas and a fuel cell stack to generate electricity
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce zero emissions and emit only water vapour
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can deliver 300 miles or more per tank of fuel
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are refilled in a similar way to conventional cars and take a similar amount of time
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are safe to drive
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars that use hydrogen gas and a fuel cell stack to generate electricity
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are electric cars that use hydrogen gas and a fuel cell stack to generate electricity. They are powered by a fuel cell stack, which combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and power an electric motor. This is different from conventional electric vehicles, which use large, heavy batteries to power their electric motors.
The process of generating electricity in an HFCV starts with drawing hydrogen gas from an onboard pressurized tank. This hydrogen then reacts with a catalyst, typically made of platinum, in the fuel cell. This reaction strips the electrons from the hydrogen atoms, allowing them to flow as electricity through the electric motor and power the car. After their job is done, the electrons return to the fuel cell, where they recombine with the hydrogen in the presence of oxygen from the ambient air.
One of the key advantages of HFCVs over conventional electric vehicles is the lack of battery weight. For example, a Tesla Model 3 has over 1000 pounds of batteries, contributing to about 40% of the weight of a similar-sized internal combustion engine car. In contrast, HFCVs do not need heavy batteries, as the fuel cell and associated tanks, plumbing, and small battery are still lighter than the battery pack in a conventional electric vehicle.
Another benefit of HFCVs is their fast refuelling time, which is comparable to that of gasoline cars. HFCVs can be refuelled at hydrogen refuelling stations, which function similarly to traditional gas stations. However, one challenge with hydrogen refuelling stations is the time required to compress hydrogen between refuelling sessions, which can take up to an hour if the previous refuelling was completed shortly before.
HFCVs offer the range and refuelling convenience of conventional cars while providing the environmental benefits of driving on electricity. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, with water vapour being their only byproduct. However, it is important to note that producing the hydrogen fuel can lead to pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions, especially when derived from natural gas. Nevertheless, even when powered by natural gas, HFCVs can reduce emissions by over 30% compared to gasoline-powered cars.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce zero emissions and emit only water vapour
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are a type of electric vehicle (EV) that uses a fuel cell stack to generate electricity onboard, rather than relying on a large, heavy battery. This makes them much rarer than other EVs, with only 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads as of mid-2022.
The main benefit of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is that they produce zero emissions and emit only water vapour. This is because the hydrogen fuel reacts with a catalyst, typically made of platinum, to produce electricity, with the only by-product being water vapour (H2O) and a small amount of heat. This water vapour is released through the tailpipe, along with a small amount of distilled water.
The absence of tailpipe emissions means that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) option, which can help to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and improve air quality. The conversion of hydrogen to electricity emits no pollutants that affect public health, making it a much cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce zero emissions, it is important to note that the process of producing and transporting hydrogen fuel can still generate emissions. Most hydrogen today is derived from fossil fuels, such as natural gas, which requires a significant amount of energy and can result in carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions. However, there are ongoing efforts to reduce these emissions and make hydrogen a more sustainable and widely available fuel option.
In terms of mileage, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can deliver 300 miles or more per tank of fuel, with a range of 300-400 miles on a single tank of hydrogen fuel. This is comparable to, or even greater than, the range of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, making them a practical alternative for long-distance travel.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can deliver 300 miles or more per tank of fuel
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars that use hydrogen gas and a fuel cell stack to generate electricity and power the electric motor. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can deliver 300 miles or more per tank of fuel. For example, the 2025 Toyota Mirai is claimed by Toyota to deliver 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen for the XLE model and 357 miles for the Limited model. A reviewer who drove the Mirai for a year averaged 331 miles of range per tank. The reviewer also noted that the Mirai's range was a "big issue", as they had to start thinking about their next fuel stop when their range hit 100 miles.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have several advantages over conventional cars and electric vehicles. Firstly, they produce zero emissions and their only by-product is water vapour. This makes them a much more environmentally friendly option than traditional gasoline-powered cars. Secondly, they do not need to be plugged into an electric power source and can be refuelled as quickly as a conventional car, making them more convenient than electric vehicles.
However, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also have some drawbacks. One of the main issues is the lack of infrastructure for refuelling. As of 2022, there were only around 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, and these were confined to California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. While there are plans to expand the network of fuelling stations, the limited infrastructure means that drivers of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are currently restricted to certain areas.
Another potential disadvantage of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the cost of the fuel. Although hydrogen prices are stable, they can vary widely, with stations charging anywhere from $13.14 to $18.69 per kg. Additionally, the process of creating pure hydrogen for vehicles requires a significant amount of energy and currently relies on fossil fuels.
Despite these challenges, there is growing interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from major automakers and governments committed to reducing carbon emissions. With increased adoption and improvements in infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have the potential to become a more viable option for eco-conscious consumers in the future.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are refilled in a similar way to conventional cars and take a similar amount of time
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a type of electric car that uses hydrogen gas and a fuel cell stack to generate electricity and power the car. They are distinct from conventional electric vehicles, which use large, heavy batteries that need to be charged using the power grid. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, on the other hand, can be refuelled at hydrogen fuelling stations, which work very similarly to traditional gas stations.
Hydrogen fuelling stations dispense hydrogen by the kilogram, and it typically takes around 5.5 kg to fill a vehicle's tank. The time it takes to refuel a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is comparable to that of a conventional car with a 15-gallon gas tank, which is about five minutes. This is a significant advantage of hydrogen-powered vehicles over electric vehicles, which often require much longer charging times.
The process of refuelling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is straightforward. Hydrogen is pumped into the vehicle's carbon-fibre-reinforced fuel tanks, where it is stored at high pressure. The hydrogen then combines with oxygen from the air in the fuel cell stack, creating a chemical reaction that produces electricity to power the car. This electricity is then routed to the electric motor, which turns the wheels and propels the vehicle forward.
The refuelling process for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is designed with safety in mind. Hydrogen sensors are in place to detect any leaks or collisions, and the hydrogen tank valves are designed to close automatically in such cases, preventing further hydrogen escape. Additionally, any leaked hydrogen is released safely into the atmosphere. Extensive testing has been conducted to ensure the safety of these vehicles, and they are considered as safe to drive as gasoline-powered cars.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer similar refuelling convenience to conventional cars, their availability and infrastructure are still limited. As of 2022, there were only around 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, and these were confined to California, the only state with a comprehensive network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. However, automakers and governments are working towards expanding the availability of hydrogen fuelling stations to make these vehicles more accessible to consumers.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are safe to drive
Moreover, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do not need to be plugged in, and they produce zero emissions from the tailpipe. They can deliver 300 miles or more per tank of fuel, with current models all exceeding 300 miles on a full tank. According to the EPA, hydrogen fuel cell cars now average between 312 and 380 miles in range. They can be refilled as fast, or faster, than a conventional car with a 15-gallon gas tank.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. They are technically a series hybrid, which is why they are sometimes classified as fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEV). Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce electricity onboard through a fuel cell system. Hydrogen gas is drawn from an onboard pressurised tank and reacts with oxygen to produce electricity, with water vapour as the only by-product. The electrons from the hydrogen power the car through the electric motor. The water produced helps to cool down the fuel cell stack before dribbling out of the vehicle's tailpipe as a combination of steam and distilled water.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been around for a while, with the first fuel cell vehicles entering the retail market in California in 2015. However, their introduction to car shoppers has been hindered by the lack of retail hydrogen fueling stations. Nevertheless, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are gaining traction, with California spending over $2.5 billion in clean energy funds to accelerate sales of hydrogen and battery vehicles. This includes $900 million to complete 200 hydrogen stations and 250,000 charging stations by 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
The mileage of a hydrogen-fuelled car depends on the make and model of the vehicle. For example, the 2021 Toyota Mirai has an estimated range of 331 miles per tank, while the 2025 Toyota Mirai XLE is said to have a range of 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen. The Mirai Limited, another 2025 model, has a range of 357 miles.
Hydrogen-fuelled cars, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), are electric vehicles that use hydrogen gas to power an electric motor. They are considered zero-emission vehicles as their only by-product is water vapour.
Hydrogen-fuelled cars use an onboard fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity, which then powers the electric motor. The hydrogen gas reacts with a catalyst, typically made of platinum, and combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity and water vapour.
One of the main benefits of hydrogen-fuelled cars is their fast and simple refuelling process, which is similar to refuelling a conventional car. Hydrogen-fuelled cars can be refilled as quickly as, or even faster than, a conventional car with a 15-gallon gas tank. Additionally, hydrogen-fuelled cars do not require charging stations or high-capacity batteries, making them more convenient for those who cannot install a charger at home.
One of the drawbacks of hydrogen-fuelled cars is the limited infrastructure for refuelling. In the United States, for example, hydrogen-fuelled cars are currently limited to California due to the lack of retail hydrogen fuelling stations in other states. Additionally, hydrogen-fuelled cars may have slower acceleration compared to other electric vehicles.
