Regan Brown
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are a type of zero-emission vehicle that uses hydrogen to generate electricity and power the electric motor. They are similar to electric vehicles but differ in their use of hydrogen fuel cells instead of large batteries. These vehicles are energy-efficient, produce no emissions, and have a long range, typically between 300-400 miles per tank. Currently, there are only three hydrogen-powered vehicles available to the general public: the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and the Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Due to the limited number of hydrogen refueling stations, primarily located in California, the availability and viability of purchasing a hydrogen fuel cell car depend on the buyer's location.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen fuel cell car availability | Currently, three hydrogen-powered vehicles are available to the general public: the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and the new Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). |
| Where to buy | Due to the lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the U.S., hydrogen cars are only a viable option if you live in California, which has a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations. |
| Price | The starting price of the Toyota Mirai is $49,500, though the high-end Limited trim is $66,000. |
| Running costs | Hydrogen fuel cell cars can carry enough fuel for 300-400 miles of range and their tanks can be refilled as quickly as a standard car's gas tank. At the pump, hydrogen sells for considerably more than gasoline, but a fuel cell car travels about twice as far on an equivalent amount of fuel. |
| Incentives | Fuel cell cars are eligible for a $4,500 rebate ($7,500 for income-qualified purchasers) from California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. They also qualify for the Clean Air Vehicle decal to drive solo in the carpool lanes. |
| Maintenance | Hydrogen fuel cell cars should be very easy to own and care for. |
| Safety | FCEVs are as safe as any vehicle on the road. HFCP vehicle manufacturers subject fuel cell electric vehicle models to extensive safety testing prior to releasing them on public roads. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars are currently only viable in California, due to the state's hydrogen fuelling infrastructure
- Three hydrogen-powered vehicles are available to the public: the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars are eligible for a rebate from California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
- Hydrogen fuel cell cars are easy to own and care for
- Hydrogen fuel is more expensive than gasoline, but a fuel cell car can travel twice as far on the same amount of fuel
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are currently only viable in California, due to the state's hydrogen fuelling infrastructure
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are a type of electric vehicle that uses hydrogen as an energy carrier to power an electric motor. They are highly efficient, produce zero emissions, and have a longer range than traditional electric cars. Despite these advantages, hydrogen fuel cell cars are currently only a viable option in California due to the state's hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.
As of 2024, there are fewer than 100 publicly accessible hydrogen filling stations in the US, and the majority of these are located in California. This limited infrastructure makes hydrogen cars impractical for most Americans, as refuelling would be extremely difficult. In contrast, California's network of hydrogen fuelling stations makes the state the only place where hydrogen-powered vehicles are truly usable. The state has invested heavily in building out this network, committing over $250 million to create "the hydrogen highway."
California's support for hydrogen fuel cell cars extends beyond fuelling stations. The state offers a \$4,500 rebate (or \$7,500 for income-qualified purchasers) for fuel cell car buyers through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. Additionally, fuel cell cars can use the carpool lanes with a Clean Air Vehicle decal and benefit from various programs supporting clean transportation ownership in low-income and disadvantaged communities. These incentives further enhance the viability of hydrogen fuel cell cars in California.
Currently, there are three hydrogen-powered vehicles available to the general public: the Toyota Mirai, the Hyundai Nexo, and the Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Notably, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV will only be available in California and only for lease, reinforcing the state's position as the leader in hydrogen fuel cell car adoption. While California has embraced hydrogen fuel cell technology, the limited fuelling infrastructure in other states poses a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of these vehicles across the US.
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Three hydrogen-powered vehicles are available to the public: the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
As of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, and these were all in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. Three hydrogen-powered vehicles are available to the public: the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle.
The Toyota Mirai is a sleek, modern-looking car with premium alloy wheels. It features Toyota's innovative Human Machine Interface (HMI), which uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen to enhance interaction through sight, touch, and voice activation. The Mirai combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power, resulting in zero tailpipe emissions. It has an EPA-estimated driving range of 402 miles.
The Hyundai Nexo is an SUV that has been available for sale since 2015. However, Hyundai has sold a limited number of these vehicles, with approximately 1600 sold in six years. The Nexo is equipped with disability accessibility features, and its website provides contact information for further accessibility inquiries.
The Honda CR-V e:FCEV is a new model that combines plug-in capability with FCEV technology, allowing for flexible charging options. It is powered by a fuel cell stack that generates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapour. The vehicle offers instant acceleration and passing power with a 174-horsepower electric drive motor and an estimated 229 lb-ft of torque. Refuelling takes only 3 to 5 minutes at a hydrogen station. The CR-V e:FCEV is certified as a Zero-Emission Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and aligns with Honda's sustainability initiatives.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are eligible for a rebate from California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
As of mid-2022, there are fewer than 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, and they are all in California. This is because California is the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. 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 now ended production of all models of the Clarity, and Hyundai has sold only about 1,600 Nexo SUVs in six years. This year, one new hydrogen vehicle will hit the market: the Honda CR-V e:FCEV, which will only be available in California and only for lease.
A hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle (HFCV) uses the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels as a battery-electric car. However, it is powered not by a large, heavy battery but by a fuel-cell stack in which pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing the electricity that turns the wheels, with water vapour as the only byproduct. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are quiet, very energy-efficient, produce no emissions, and have an equivalent range and performance to their gasoline counterparts.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are easy to own and care for
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are easy to refuel, with a similar process and refueling time to a standard gas station. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are refueled at "hydrogen fueling stations", which are becoming more common worldwide. In the US, California is the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations, but there are plans to expand the infrastructure.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are also easy to care for in terms of maintenance. They are very efficient, produce no emissions, and have a similar range and performance to gasoline counterparts. They are also very quiet. The only waste produced is pure water vapour. The cost of ownership for a fuel cell car can be comparable to conventional cars, especially when leasing, as current leasing packages usually include fuel, service, and maintenance. In California, fuel cell cars are eligible for a rebate from the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, as well as various other incentives.
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Hydrogen fuel is more expensive than gasoline, but a fuel cell car can travel twice as far on the same amount of fuel
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are electric vehicles that use hydrogen as their energy source instead of electricity from batteries or fossil fuels. They are considered a more sustainable alternative to traditional cars as they produce zero tailpipe emissions, with water vapour being the only waste product.
While hydrogen fuel is more expensive than gasoline, a fuel cell car can travel twice as far on the same amount of fuel. This is because hydrogen is a highly efficient energy carrier, with a fuel cell system being about twice as efficient as a gasoline system. This means that a fuel cell car can deliver up to 70 miles per kilogram of fuel, or the equivalent of 70 miles per gallon. In comparison, a gallon of gasoline typically has a range of 25-30 miles.
The higher efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell cars also results in reduced refuelling times. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be refuelled in a similar amount of time as a standard car's gas tank, typically within 3-5 minutes. This is a significant advantage over battery-electric vehicles, which often have lengthy recharging times.
However, it is important to note that the cost of hydrogen fuel is currently higher than gasoline. The price of hydrogen fuel varies, with a kilogram of hydrogen costing between $10 and $17 at California hydrogen stations, which is equivalent to about $5 to $8.50 per gallon of gasoline. The higher cost of hydrogen fuel is due to the complex and energy-intensive process of transporting and storing hydrogen. Additionally, there is a limited network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations, which naturally charge higher prices due to the specialised nature of the fuel.
Despite the higher cost of hydrogen fuel, car manufacturers such as Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota have offered incentives to offset this disadvantage. These incentives include providing lessees and buyers with free hydrogen fuel for limited periods, with values of up to $15,000 over a three-year lease or up to six years of ownership.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, there are fewer than 100 publicly accessible hydrogen filling stations in the US, and most of them are in California. California is the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fueling stations. Therefore, if you live in California and there is a hydrogen filling station near your regular driving routes, a hydrogen vehicle might be a good fit for you.
Currently, there are three hydrogen-powered vehicles available to the general public: the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and the Honda CR-V Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are energy-efficient, produce no emissions, and have a similar range and performance to gasoline cars. They are also very easy to own and care for.
