Katerina Swanson
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is an appealing alternative to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, as it offers low emissions and fast refuelling. Hydrogen cars can be refuelled in a similar way to traditional cars, with the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly, as the only waste product is water vapour. However, the current price of hydrogen is higher than gasoline, and there are only a few hydrogen fuel cell vehicles available to purchase. Additionally, the number of hydrogen filling stations is limited, with most of the retail stations in the US located in California. Nevertheless, initiatives to expand hydrogen fuelling locations are underway, and manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota are offering production fuel cell electric vehicles for sale or lease in markets where hydrogen fuel is available.
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell technology
One of the key advantages of hydrogen fuel cell technology is the rapid refuelling process, which is comparable to that of traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. Refuelling a hydrogen car is straightforward and can be completed in as little as five minutes using pumps similar to those for fossil fuels. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer superior range capabilities compared to most electric vehicles (EVs). For example, the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), can travel up to 400 miles on a full tank of hydrogen fuel.
While hydrogen fuel cell technology offers exciting prospects, there are some limitations and challenges to its widespread adoption. Currently, the selection of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles available for purchase is quite limited. For instance, in the UK, only the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai NEXO SUV have been offered as hydrogen fuel-cell cars, with the latter now available only to business customers on lease with limited availability.
Another challenge lies in the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling. The availability of hydrogen filling stations is crucial for the practical adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles. However, the development of these stations faces technical barriers related to cost, performance, and durability. Efforts are being made to address these challenges, with companies like Stellantis pursuing hydrogen fuel cell technology and starting in-house production of hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles in Europe.
In conclusion, hydrogen fuel cell technology holds promise for the future of sustainable transportation. With its fast refuelling, long-range capabilities, and zero-emission characteristics, it offers a compelling alternative to traditional combustion engines and battery-electric vehicles. However, the technology is still in its early stages, with limited vehicle options and refuelling infrastructure. As such, further development and investment are needed to overcome these challenges and realise the full potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the automotive industry.
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Hydrogen fuel stations
As of 2024, there are very few hydrogen fuel stations in the world. China has the greatest number of hydrogen fuel stations of any country, with 226 operational hydrogen refueling stations as of August 2024. This is followed by South Korea and Japan. In Europe, only three countries met the EU Sustainable Taxonomy requirements for hydrogen production using national grid electricity. In the US, the CEC has spent $202 million on fueling stations for hydrogen, and a lobbying group for H2, including Shell, Chevron, and Toyota, is lobbying for an additional $300 million over the next ten years.
However, despite these investments, there are still very few hydrogen fuel stations available to consumers. For example, one user on Reddit noted in 2023 that all the hydrogen stations they could find were in California, while they were based in St. Louis, Missouri. Another commenter predicted that it would be another four years before hydrogen stations were available countrywide.
The limited number of hydrogen fuel stations is a significant challenge to the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are otherwise highly efficient, with superior range capabilities to most electric vehicles, and fast refueling times similar to those of traditional combustion-engined vehicles. Hydrogen cars are also more practical than electric cars, as they do not have large batteries taking up space, and their emissions are entirely harmless, consisting only of water from the exhaust pipe.
However, the production of hydrogen fuel also presents challenges. Most countries would produce highly carbon-intensive hydrogen if they used grid electricity, and the global supply and storage of hydrogen are inconsistent. As a result, despite the promise of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, it has not yet seen widespread adoption.
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Hydrogen fuel costs
The cost of hydrogen fuel is a significant barrier to its widespread adoption. In California, hydrogen fuel typically costs around $25 per kilogram, which equates to about $135 to fill up a standard car. At this price, many consumers may be reluctant to switch to hydrogen-powered vehicles, even with the appeal of low emissions and fast refuelling.
In the UK, the price of hydrogen fuel is somewhat lower, ranging from £10 to £15 per kilogram. As an example, the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel-cell car, has a fuel tank capacity of 5.6 kg, so filling up its tank would cost between £56 and £84. This pricing is more competitive compared to California, but still relatively high.
To put the cost of hydrogen fuel into perspective, Pat Griffin, president of North America at Hyzon Motors, a manufacturer of hydrogen-powered vehicles, stated that for fleet customers, a price of around $10 per kilogram would be more acceptable. He also mentioned that customers are looking forward to the price potentially dropping to $6 per kilogram.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel is not just a matter of the fuel itself but also reflects the current limitations of hydrogen infrastructure. To make hydrogen fuel more affordable and accessible, there needs to be increased production and a robust network for storage and refuelling.
Despite the current high costs, there is ongoing development in the hydrogen-powered vehicle sector. BMW, for instance, has announced plans to release a hydrogen fuel cell car in 2028, and Hyundai is working on a production version of its N Vision 74 concept car, which may be available as early as 2026. These developments indicate that the hydrogen-powered vehicle market is evolving, and with increased production and infrastructure improvements, the cost of hydrogen fuel may become more competitive in the future.
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Hydrogen fuel in the US
As of 2024, there are 54 retail hydrogen stations in the United States, mostly concentrated in California. However, efforts are being made to expand hydrogen fuelling locations in Hawaii and across the East Coast, with other markets expected to develop as consumer demand increases.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center provides a database of hydrogen fuelling stations in the United States and Canada. You can find stations by location or along a route, and use advanced filters to search for private and planned stations.
The US government is also actively supporting the development of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $7 billion in funding for seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2 Hubs) to accelerate the deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen. Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides a tax credit of up to $3 per kilogram of hydrogen to incentivize projects with low-lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
At the state level, Texas has committed $70 million to build hydrogen fuelling stations in major metropolitan areas, including Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. These stations will add to the growing network stretching from Southern California to Texas, primarily along Interstate 10.
As the number of hydrogen fuelling stations increases, manufacturers such as Hyundai and Toyota are offering fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for sale or lease to customers in markets where hydrogen fuel is available. With the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure, early adopters of FCEVs can be confident of accessing hydrogen fuel within their regions.
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Hydrogen fuel in the UK
Hydrogen fuel is an intriguing alternative to battery-electric fuel for cars. Hydrogen cars can be topped up quickly at refuelling stations, similar to regular combustion-engined vehicles. They also offer superior range capabilities than most electric vehicles (EVs). However, the options for buying a hydrogen car and finding somewhere to fuel it in the UK are currently limited.
There are just over 15 hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK, with some sources citing 17 active refuellers. This is a small number, but the network covers several regions, making it possible for drivers to refuel their hydrogen cars in various parts of the country. The number of refuelling stations is expected to grow as hydrogen-powered cars find wider acceptance. The development of these stations is driven by both the UK government and private companies.
The cost to refill a hydrogen car in the UK ranges from £50 to £75, but the long-term savings make hydrogen vehicles a good alternative. Refuelling a hydrogen car is also very quick, taking as little as five minutes to fill the tank. The pumps are very similar to conventional fossil fuel pumps. Hydrogen-fuelled cars are also eco-friendly, as their only by-product is water, and they have lower maintenance costs over time due to having fewer moving parts.
In the UK, hydrogen refuelling stations can be found in several locations, including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Coventry, London, Wales, Scotland, and Sheffield. Most new projects are being built along motorways and trunk roads to support intercity driving and longer journeys.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen fuel stations are becoming more widely available, particularly in California, which has over 60 stations. Other locations in the US include Hawaii and the East Coast. In the UK, hydrogen fuel is harder to come by, with only two hydrogen fuel-cell cars on sale: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai NEXO SUV.
In the UK, a kilogramme of hydrogen costs between £10 and £15. In the US, hydrogen is currently more expensive than gasoline, but fuel cells are around 2.5 times more efficient, so you get more mileage out of them.
Refuelling a hydrogen car is similar to refuelling a traditional petrol or diesel car and takes around 3 to 5 minutes.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity to power the car and the only waste product is water vapour, making it a clean and green fuel source. Hydrogen-powered cars also have a longer range than most electric vehicles, with some models offering up to 400 miles on a full tank.
Currently, there are very few hydrogen fuel-cell cars available to purchase. In the UK, you can buy the Toyota Mirai or lease the Hyundai NEXO SUV. Hyundai is also working on a production version of its N Vision 74 concept, which may be available as soon as 2026. BMW has also announced plans to release a hydrogen fuel cell car in 2028.
