Regan Brown
Despite the lack of public hydrogen fueling stations in Ohio, several companies in the state are investing in hydrogen fuel cell cars. Honda Motors is producing the first American-made hybrid hydrogen vehicle at its Marysville plant in Ohio, and Millennium Reign Energy in Dayton has a membership model to develop hydrogen infrastructure alongside demand. With Ohio companies working on hydrogen energy for over two decades, the state could provide another option for switching away from gasoline-powered cars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen fuel cell cars sold in Ohio | Not yet |
| Ohio companies investing in hydrogen cars | Millennium Reign Energy, Honda Motors, DLZ |
| Hydrogen fuel cell cars available in the US | Yes, since 2015 |
| Hydrogen fuel cell cars sold in California | Yes |
| Number of public hydrogen fueling stations in California | Fewer than 60 |
| Public hydrogen fueling stations in Ohio | None |
| Private hydrogen fueling stations in Ohio | 3 |
| Hydrogen car refueling speed | Quick |
| Hydrogen car performance in cold weather | More consistent range |
| Hydrogen car refueling infrastructure in Ohio | In development |
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What You'll Learn
Honda's hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Honda has been at the forefront of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle development for many years. The company first displayed a prototype for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the 1960s, and in 2008, it released the Honda FCX Clarity, the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to retail customers. The Honda FCX Clarity was produced in Japan and offered through a leasing program in Southern California, where public hydrogen refuelling stations were available. The vehicle was eligible for a US$12,000 income tax credit, and the leasing program included collision coverage, maintenance, and roadside assistance.
In 2017, Honda expanded its alternative fuel vehicle offerings under the Honda Clarity nameplate. The Honda Clarity lineup included the battery-electric Honda Clarity Electric, the plug-in hybrid electric Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, and the next-generation Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. The 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell had a range of 366 miles (589 km), the highest EPA driving range rating of any zero-emissions vehicle in the US at the time. It also boasted impressive fuel economy ratings, with a combined city/highway rating of 67 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe) and 68 MPGe in city driving.
Honda's latest venture into hydrogen fuel cell technology is the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV (or CR-V Fuel Cell), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) based on the company's bestselling CR-V crossover SUV. The CR-V e:FCEV combines plug-in capability with FCEV technology, allowing for flexible charging options and fast hydrogen refuelling. The vehicle is powered by Honda's latest hydrogen fuel cell system, built through a joint venture with General Motors. It features dual high-pressure hydrogen tanks that offer compact energy storage and a 174-horsepower electric drive motor, resulting in instant acceleration and improved performance. The CR-V e:FCEV is certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a Zero-Emission Vehicle, with water vapour being the only by-product.
While Honda has made significant strides in hydrogen fuel cell technology, the availability of fuelling infrastructure remains a challenge. California, the epicenter for fuel cell vehicles in the US, has fewer than 60 public hydrogen refuelling stations. However, companies like Millennium Reign Energy are working to develop hydrogen infrastructure and increase access to fuelling stations. Honda is also taking steps to address the challenges by offering competitive pricing and home charging options for its vehicles.
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Millennium Reign Energy's membership model
Fuel cell cars are not sold in Ohio yet, but Ohio companies have been working on hydrogen energy for over two decades. Millennium Reign Energy in Dayton is one such company, and it has a unique membership model to develop hydrogen infrastructure and demand.
The Millennium Reign Energy's membership model is designed to build the first transcontinental hydrogen highway. The company's Emerald H2 network will help customers purchase used fuel cell vehicles and provide them with access to hydrogen fueling stations designed and built by the company. Millennium Reign Energy will strategically place these stations based on the number of members in a particular area. As the number of customers in an area grows, the company will replace the existing station with one of larger capacity and move the smaller station to another location. Access to these stations will be exclusive to members, although members travelling outside their local area will be able to use stations elsewhere.
This model is particularly significant because, as of 2024, there are no public hydrogen fueling stations in Ohio. California, where almost all of the country's hydrogen fuel cell cars are registered, has fewer than 60 public stations. However, the price of hydrogen fuel is projected to drop as more retail stations open and utilization increases. Additionally, automakers are offering three years of free hydrogen fuel with the sale or lease of a vehicle to bridge the time it takes for the market to become more competitive with other fuel options.
Fuel cell vehicles are electric vehicles that use a fuel cell to power their onboard electric motor. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are zero-emissions vehicles that can be refueled in just 3-4 minutes, offering a more consistent range in cold weather. However, the environmental impact of fuel cell vehicles depends on the primary energy source used to produce the hydrogen. If produced with renewable energy, fuel cell cars may be cleaner and more efficient than fossil fuel cars. Nevertheless, they are not as efficient as battery-electric vehicles, which consume much less energy.
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Hydrogen cars vs. electric vehicles
While electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, some companies in Ohio are investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Hydrogen cars are essentially electric vehicles with an onboard fuel cell that provides electricity alongside a battery. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are yet to be sold in Ohio, but a few companies have been working on hydrogen energy for over two decades.
Refueling
One of the main advantages of hydrogen cars over EVs is their refueling time. Refilling a hydrogen tank at a dedicated filling station only takes a few minutes. In contrast, recharging an electric vehicle can take much longer, depending on the charging station and the battery capacity.
Range
Hydrogen cars also offer a better driving range than most EVs. The driving range for EVs can range from 150 to 375 miles, while hydrogen cars can achieve 400 to 600 miles, depending on the tank size. This longer range, combined with quick refueling, makes hydrogen cars attractive for long-distance travel.
Infrastructure
However, the lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure is a significant drawback. Hydrogen cars require dedicated refueling stations, which are currently scarce, especially in states like Ohio, which has none. In contrast, electric vehicles can take advantage of the existing electrical grid and the growing number of charging stations worldwide.
Environmental Impact
Both electric and hydrogen cars are considered zero-emission vehicles, but the process of hydrogen production can be energy-intensive and rely on non-renewable sources. While "green hydrogen," produced using clean electricity, is ideal, it is currently costly. On the other hand, electric vehicles can be impacted by the carbon intensity of the electrical grid they rely on.
Cost
Cost is another factor favoring EVs. Hydrogen-powered cars tend to be more expensive to purchase, and the refueling charges can vary significantly between different countries. EVs, while still generally pricier than gas cars, are becoming more affordable due to the falling prices of lithium-ion batteries and government incentives.
Efficiency
In terms of efficiency, hydrogen fuel cell technology is criticized for being less efficient than battery-powered EVs. However, it is still more efficient than traditional internal combustion engines (ICE), putting it somewhere in the middle.
Torque and Acceleration
EVs have an advantage over hydrogen cars in terms of torque and acceleration. The efficient system of an electric car controls the energy flow between the battery and the motor, resulting in instant torque and acceleration.
Cold Weather Performance
Hydrogen cars offer more consistent range and performance in cold weather conditions, which is an advantage over EVs that can experience reduced range in lower temperatures.
In conclusion, both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages. Hydrogen cars offer quick refueling, long ranges, and consistent performance in cold weather, but they are currently held back by limited infrastructure and higher costs. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, benefit from existing electrical grids, falling battery prices, and government incentives, making them a more accessible and widely adopted option.
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Hydrogen infrastructure in Ohio
Ohio-based companies have been working on hydrogen energy for over two decades. The state trade association, the Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition, was formed in 2003. The current efforts of the coalition could eventually provide another option for switching away from gasoline-powered cars. While electric vehicles are comparable in price, hydrogen cars can be refuelled quickly and offer a more consistent range in cold weather.
However, the adoption of hydrogen cars in Ohio is hindered by the lack of public hydrogen fuelling stations in the state. California, where almost all of the country's hydrogen fuel cell cars are registered, has fewer than 60 public stations. Millennium Reign Energy in Dayton has a membership model to develop hydrogen infrastructure along with demand. Its Emerald H2 network will help customers buy used fuel cell vehicles and provide access to hydrogen fuelling stations designed and built by the company. As the number of customers in an area grows, Millennium plans to swap out the fuelling station for one with a larger capacity and move the smaller station to another location. The company already has three private facilities in Ohio.
Another company, DLZ, an engineering, architectural, and project management company headquartered in Columbus, has brought six Hyundai hydrogen vehicles from California to its headquarters. DLZ has also set up a station in Columbus that can generate about 20 kilograms of hydrogen per day, using electricity from a solar array.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) to receive up to $925 million in federal funding to develop a clean hydrogen hub in a region that includes Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. The Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance aims to develop hydrogen infrastructure and foster the utilization of hydrogen. The ARCH2 hub will initially be served by blue hydrogen, with a transition to green hydrogen as it becomes more cost-competitive.
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Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition
The Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition is a group of industry, academic, and government leaders who are working to strengthen Ohio's fuel cell industry and establish the region as a global leader in fuel cell technology. The coalition was formed in 2003 and has been working to promote the development and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the state.
One of the main challenges for the coalition is the lack of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in Ohio. Currently, the state has no public hydrogen fuelling stations, which is a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of fuel cell vehicles. However, companies such as Millennium Reign Energy are working to develop hydrogen infrastructure alongside the demand for fuel cell vehicles. Their Emerald H2 network provides customers with access to hydrogen fuelling stations and helps them purchase used fuel cell cars.
Another challenge is the competition from electric vehicles, which are comparable in price to hydrogen cars. However, hydrogen cars offer several advantages, such as faster refuelling times and more consistent range in cold weather. Honda Motors is now producing the first American-made hybrid hydrogen vehicle at its Marysville plant in Ohio, which could help increase the availability of fuel cell cars in the state.
The coalition hosts events and webinars to promote the development and adoption of fuel cell technology. For example, the 2023 Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, held at Stark State College in North Canton, OH, featured presentations and discussions on regulatory issues, production tax credits, and the challenges and opportunities of zero-emission truck infrastructure deployment. The coalition also provides opportunities for networking and collaboration between industry leaders, academics, and government officials.
Overall, the Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition is playing a crucial role in driving the development and adoption of fuel cell technology in the state, with the ultimate goal of providing an alternative to gasoline-powered cars and contributing to a more sustainable transportation future.
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Frequently asked questions
No, fuel cell cars are not sold in Ohio yet.
Yes, Honda Motors is producing the first American-made hybrid hydrogen vehicle at its Marysville plant in Ohio. Honda has a vision to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its new vehicle sales by 2040.
No, Ohio does not have any public hydrogen fueling stations. However, Millennium Reign Energy has three private facilities in Ohio and is working on developing hydrogen infrastructure.
Fuel cell cars can be refueled quickly and offer more consistent range in cold weather. They can also overcome buyers' reluctance to switch from gasoline-powered vehicles.
