Katerina Swanson
The history of hydrogen-powered cars goes back to the 1800s. The first internal combustion engine was powered by a mix of hydrogen and oxygen in 1806, or 1807, by Swiss inventor Francois Isaac de Rivaz. However, the first modern hydrogen-powered vehicle wouldn't arrive until over a century later. In 1966, the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was created by General Motors, called the Electrovan. This groundbreaking design used a fuel cell that combined super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, hydrogen cars began to be gently launched into the global marketplace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the first hydrogen-powered car was built | 1806/1807 |
| Creator of the first hydrogen-powered car | Swiss inventor Francois Isaac de Rivaz |
| Type of vehicle | The first internal combustion engine |
| Fuel source | Hydrogen and oxygen |
| Year of the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle | 1966 |
| Creator of the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle | General Motors |
| Model of the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle | Electrovan/Chevrolet Electrovan |
| Year of the first commercially produced hydrogen car | 2013 |
| Creator of the first commercially produced hydrogen car | Hyundai |
| Model of the first commercially produced hydrogen car | Hyundai ix35 FCEV |
| Year of the first commercially produced dedicated fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) | 2014 |
| Creator of the first commercially produced dedicated FCEV | Toyota |
| Model of the first commercially produced dedicated FCEV | Mirai |
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What You'll Learn
The first hydrogen-powered car
The history of the first hydrogen-powered car goes back to the 1800s. In 1806, Swiss engineer Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first internal combustion engine (ICE), which ran on a hydrogen-oxygen mix. The following year, he created the first hydrogen-powered car, although it was unsuccessful. In 1807, de Rivaz created the first four-wheel vehicle powered by hydrogen and oxygen. In 1860 (or 1863, according to another source), Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir produced the Hippomobile, a three-wheeled vehicle considered the first functional hydrogen car. Lenoir sold 350-400 Hippomobiles, and his invention set the stage for the first patented gas-fuelled car, invented by Karl Benz in 1886.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, experiments in hydrogen-powered vehicles continued, but the gasoline-powered combustion engine dominated the automotive industry. In 1933, Norway's Norsk Hydro Power Company developed a hydrogen-powered truck with an internal combustion engine. In 1966, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Electrovan, considered the first road vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. This ground-breaking design used a fuel cell that combined super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
In 1970, Paul Dieges patented a modified gasoline internal combustion engine that could run on hydrogen. In the 1980s and 1990s, hydrogen was primarily used as a fuel source for space shuttles. In 1998, Iceland announced its plan to convert all its public transportation vehicles to fuel-cell models over ten years. In 1999, the first commercial hydrogen station for trucks and cars opened in Germany. Around this time, Daimler Chrysler introduced the NECAR 4, a liquid hydrogen vehicle.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, hydrogen cars began to be gently launched into the global marketplace. In 2002, the Toyota FCHV and Honda FCX became the world's first government-certified commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In 2008, the Honda FCX Clarity became the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle designed for mass production. In 2013, the Hyundai ix35 FCEV became the first commercially produced hydrogen car. In 2014, the Toyota Mirai became the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle.
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The first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
The history of hydrogen-powered vehicles goes back to the 1800s. In 1806, Swiss engineer Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first internal combustion engine (ICE), which ran on a hydrogen/oxygen mixture. The following year, he created the first four-wheel vehicle powered by hydrogen and oxygen. However, the first hydrogen-powered car designed by Rivaz was a failure.
In 1860, Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir developed the Hippomobile, a three-wheel vehicle considered the first functional hydrogen car. Lenoir sold 350-400 Hippomobiles, setting the stage for the first patented gas-fuelled car invented by Karl Benz in 1886.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, several hydrogen-powered vehicles were released in prototype or demo form, including the F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) from Mercedes-Benz, the HydroGen4 from General Motors, and the Hyundai ix35 FCEV. The Hyundai ix35 FCEV, introduced in 2013, was the first commercially produced hydrogen car.
In 2014, Toyota launched the Mirai, the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle (FCV). The Mirai has a range of 312 miles and takes about five minutes to refuel its hydrogen tank. In 2018, Hyundai released the Nexo in Korea, which has sold 10,000-plus units. The Nexo has also been available in the US, the UK, and Australia, where it has been offered for lease to governments and businesses.
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The first hydrogen car race
The history of hydrogen-powered cars is a long and fascinating one, dating back to the 1800s. However, the first-ever hydrogen car race is a much more recent development, with the inaugural event taking place in May 2021. This groundbreaking race marked a significant milestone in the evolution of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and clean energy technology.
The first-ever hydrogen car race was held in May 2021 and was known as the Super Taikyu Series race round 3 "NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours". This 24-hour endurance race was a true test of the capabilities of hydrogen-powered vehicles, pushing them to their limits and showcasing their potential. The race was historic not just for the type of vehicles competing but also for the fact that it was the first time a car running on liquid hydrogen had entered a race anywhere in the world.
The Competitors
One of the most notable competitors in this inaugural race was the Toyota Corolla Sport, which was equipped with a hydrogen engine. Toyota, a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, had previously launched the world's first commercially produced dedicated fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, in 2014. With their entry into this race, they once again demonstrated their commitment to innovating hydrogen-powered transportation.
The Outcome
The Toyota Corolla Sport made history by successfully completing the grueling 24-hour race, proving the endurance and reliability of hydrogen-powered vehicles. This achievement served as a testament to the advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technology and clean energy innovation.
The Future of Hydrogen Racing
Following the successful completion of the first hydrogen car race, the future of hydrogen-powered racing looks bright. In June 2023, Toyota unveiled its hydrogen race car, the "GR H2 Racing Concept", specifically built for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With automotive manufacturers increasingly turning their attention to hydrogen fuel options, we can expect to see more hydrogen-powered vehicles on the race track and on our roads in the years to come.
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Hydrogen cars in the US
The history of hydrogen-powered cars goes back to the 1800s. In 1806, Swiss engineer Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first internal combustion engine (ICE), which ran on a hydrogen-oxygen mix. The following year, he created the first four-wheel vehicle powered by hydrogen and oxygen. However, the first hydrogen-powered car designed by Rivaz was a failure. In 1860, Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir developed the Hippomobile, a three-wheeled vehicle powered by hydrogen. Lenoir eventually sold 350-400 Hippomobiles.
In the 1970s, following the oil crisis, many companies focused on hydrogen cell technology as a clean, renewable energy source. In 1970, Paul Dieges patented a modified gasoline ICE that could run on hydrogen. In 1990, an electric solar vehicle was converted to hydrogen using a 107 ml four-stroke engine.
The first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was created in 1966 by General Motors, which introduced the Chevrolet Electrovan. This vehicle is considered the first use of a hydrogen fuel cell to power a car. The Electrovan used a fuel cell that combined super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, hydrogen cars began to be gently launched into the global marketplace. In 2008, Honda launched the FCX Clarity, which was available for lease in Southern California. Around 20 other hydrogen-powered vehicles were released in prototype or demo form, including the F-Cell from Mercedes-Benz and the Hyundai ix35 FCEV. The Hyundai ix35 FCEV, introduced in 2013, was the first commercially produced hydrogen car.
In 2014, Toyota launched the Mirai, the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle (FCV). The Mirai was initially sold in California, mainly in the Los Angeles area, and selected markets in Europe, the UK, Germany, and Denmark. As of 2021, the Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo were the only two hydrogen cars publicly available for purchase. In 2023, 3,143 hydrogen cars were sold in the US, compared with 380,000 BEVs.
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Hydrogen cars in the UK
The history of hydrogen-powered cars goes back to the 1800s. The first internal combustion engine was powered by a mix of hydrogen and oxygen in 1806, contained in a balloon by Swiss engineer Francois Isaac de Rivaz. However, the first modern hydrogen-powered vehicle wouldn't arrive until over a century later.
In the 1980s and '90s, hydrogen was primarily used as a fuel source for space shuttles. In 1998, Iceland announced its plan to convert all its public transportation vehicles to fuel-cell vehicles over ten years. The first commercial hydrogen station for trucks and cars opened in Germany in 1999.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, hydrogen cars began to be gently launched into the global marketplace. Honda launched the FCX Clarity in 2008, which was available for lease in Japan and Southern California. Around 20 other hydrogen-powered vehicles were released in prototype or demo form, including the F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) from Mercedes-Benz and the Hyundai ix35 FCEV.
In 2013, Hyundai Motors claimed it had produced the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Hyundai Tucson FCEV. However, due to high prices and a lack of charging infrastructure, sales were disappointing.
In 2014, Toyota launched the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle (FCV), the Mirai, in Japan. Sales began in California and selected markets in Europe, the UK, Germany and Denmark in 2015. As of 2021, the Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo, which succeeded the Hyundai Tucson in 2018, were the two hydrogen cars publicly available in select markets.
At present, there are two hydrogen cars available to buy in the UK: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo SUV. The Mirai has been described as comfortable, luxurious, quiet, and sleek. The Nexo has all the features expected of a modern luxury vehicle, including an infotainment system, seats that can be heated or ventilated, and a sunroof.
In 2024, it was reported that there had been fewer than 300 sales of hydrogen cars in the UK over the last 20 years. The number of hydrogen fuelling stations in the UK has fallen in recent years, with the latest information putting the number at six. However, the UK government has announced funding for a publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling station to be built in the northeast of England, designed to cater to a fleet of hydrogen FCEV HGVs.
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Frequently asked questions
The first hydrogen-fuelled car, the Chevrolet Electrovan, was introduced by General Motors in 1966.
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel.
The main difference is that hydrogen vehicles do not have an internal combustion engine. Instead, they have a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen.
3,143 hydrogen cars were sold in the US in 2023.
Some examples of hydrogen cars that are publicly available include the Toyota Mirai, the Hyundai Nexo, and the Honda Clarity.
