Regan Brown
Fuel cell cars are vehicles that use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity and power electric motors. The concept of the fuel cell was first demonstrated by Humphry Davy in 1801, and since then, several automotive manufacturers have ventured into the development and production of fuel cell cars. Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai are some of the notable companies that have invested in fuel cell technology for their vehicles. Toyota's Mirai, Honda's Clarity, and Hyundai's Nexo are examples of fuel cell cars that have been made available to the market. However, the adoption of fuel cell cars faces challenges due to the limited hydrogen infrastructure and the higher cost of hydrogen fuel compared to traditional fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies building fuel cell cars | Honda, Hyundai, BMW, Toyota |
| Models of fuel cell cars | Honda Clarity, Honda CR-V e:FCEV, Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, BMW iX5 Hydrogen |
| Number of Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles in the U.S. | 1,100 |
| Number of Toyota Mirai buyers | 5,000 |
| Number of hydrogen refuelling stations in the U.S. | 43 |
| Number of hydrogen refuelling stations in California | 41 |
| Number of hydrogen refuelling stations in Japan | 80 in 2016, 91 in 2017 |
| Number of hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany | 18 in 2015, 30 in 2017 |
| Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) worldwide sales | 31,225 |
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What You'll Learn
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are emission-free, but costly
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are emission-free, with the only waste produced being water vapour. The vehicles are powered by an electric motor, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are classified as e-cars. The hydrogen fuel cell functions like a battery, producing electricity to run the motor. However, unlike a battery, the fuel cell can be refuelled with hydrogen in a few minutes, similar to a standard car's gas tank.
The process of electrolysis breaks down water into its hydrogen and oxygen components. The hydrogen is stored in the vehicle's fuel tank until it is needed. The hydrogen then reacts with oxygen from the ambient air in a process known as reverse electrolysis, which takes place in the fuel cell. This reaction produces electrical energy, heat, and water vapour. The electricity generated then powers the electric motor, with the water vapour exiting through the exhaust.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars are emission-free, they are costly. The hydrogen needed to move a fuel cell vehicle a kilometre costs approximately eight times as much as the electricity needed to move a battery-powered electric vehicle the same distance. In late 2022, a kilogram of hydrogen in California cost between $10 and $17, which is equivalent to $5 to $8.50 per gallon of gasoline. A full 5-kg refill in a Toyota Mirai could cost up to $180. The high cost of hydrogen fuel is due to the small network of retail stations, which naturally charge high prices.
The limited availability of hydrogen fuelling stations is another challenge for hydrogen fuel cell cars. As of 2020, there were fewer than 50 hydrogen fuelling stations in the U.S., with most of them located in California. This lack of infrastructure has led to lawsuits, such as the class action filed by Mirai owners in California in 2024, alleging a lack of availability of hydrogen fuel. However, efforts are being made to expand the infrastructure. For example, California has initiatives like the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership, which aims to expand the market for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers like BMW have joined initiatives to drive the expansion of hydrogen fuelling stations.
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Fuel cell vehicles are available for all modes of transport
While fuel cell vehicles for personal transport are becoming more common, they are also being used for heavy-duty transport. For example, fuel cells are being integrated into marine vessels as a zero-emission solution. Fuel cells are a plug-and-play replacement for internal combustion engines, and they produce electricity with high efficiency through an electro-chemical process. This will help the marine industry reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, which currently contribute significantly to global emissions. Fuel cell-powered vessels can also run longer and travel farther before refueling, and refueling with hydrogen is fast and convenient.
In addition to cars and marine vessels, hydrogen fuel cells are also being explored for use in aviation. Airbus has been working on its ZEROe project since 2020 to explore the feasibility of hydrogen propulsion technologies, and aims to bring a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market. Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in decarbonizing aviation and bringing a revolution in air transport comparable to that of electric vehicles in the automotive sector. The only byproduct of the reaction that powers hydrogen-fuelled aircraft is water, meaning the process is almost carbon-neutral as long as the hydrogen is made using renewable energy.
Overall, fuel cell vehicles are available or in development for all modes of transport, and they have the potential to play a significant role in reducing emissions and improving sustainability. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, such as the limited hydrogen infrastructure for refueling fuel cell vehicles, particularly in the United States.
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The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel cell family car
The Mirai is a hydrogen-powered vehicle that combines hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air to generate power without creating tailpipe emissions. The hydrogen is stored in carbon-fibre-reinforced fuel tanks, which have been rigorously tested and proven to meet Global Technical Regulation No. 13. The hydrogen and oxygen meet in the Fuel Cell Stack, where a chemical reaction takes place to create electricity, which powers the car. This electricity is then routed to a 182-hp electric motor. The Mirai's electric motor was relocated from the front to the rear of the car following a 2021 generational rework, making the current model rear-wheel drive.
The Mirai's hydrogen propulsion system offers an impressive EV driving range, with an estimated range of 402 miles per fill-up of hydrogen for the XLE model and 357 miles for the Limited model. However, the lack of widespread hydrogen infrastructure is a significant challenge for the Mirai and other hydrogen-powered vehicles. In 2024, Mirai owners filed a class-action lawsuit in California over the lack of availability of hydrogen fuel.
Despite these challenges, Toyota remains committed to offering this alternative power source, and the Mirai is part of the company's "Beyond Zero" vision to reach carbon neutrality. The Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO2 or substances of concern when driven.
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Hydrogen fuel cell technology may threaten Tesla
Despite Elon Musk's dismissal of hydrogen fuel cells as "mind-bogglingly stupid", the technology may threaten Tesla's dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Tesla currently controls 60% of the EV market in America, but this only accounts for 2% of the entire US car market. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) could be a serious competitor to Tesla's market share.
FCEVs have several advantages over battery-powered electric vehicles. Firstly, they do not require lengthy recharging, as the hydrogen tank can be refilled at a hydrogen station in less than five minutes, similar to a typical gas station. In contrast, a Tesla vehicle can take over an hour to fully charge at a supercharging station. Secondly, FCEVs have a longer range than most electric vehicles, with a range of 312 to 380 miles compared to under 250 miles for most electric vehicles. While some Tesla models offer a range of over 300 miles, they are often more expensive than the average car buyer can afford. Thirdly, FCEVs produce electricity on demand, meaning they do not need to store electricity in a heavy battery. This results in a lighter vehicle and improved efficiency.
However, FCEVs also face challenges. One of the main obstacles is the lack of hydrogen infrastructure, with a limited number of hydrogen fuelling stations currently available. For example, as of 2020, there were fewer than 50 hydrogen fuelling stations publicly available in the US. However, this is slowly changing, with governments and private companies investing in the expansion of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure. For instance, California is spending over $2.5 billion in clean energy funds to accelerate sales of hydrogen and battery vehicles, including $900 million to build 200 hydrogen stations by 2025. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers such as BMW have joined initiatives to drive the expansion of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.
Another challenge for FCEVs is pricing. Currently, FCEVs are more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines. However, as the technology advances and becomes more widely adopted, prices are expected to decrease.
In conclusion, while Tesla currently dominates the EV market, hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to threaten its market share. FCEVs offer several advantages over battery-powered electric vehicles, including faster refuelling, longer range, and improved efficiency. However, the lack of hydrogen infrastructure and pricing challenges are obstacles that need to be overcome. As the hydrogen fuelling infrastructure expands and FCEV prices become more competitive, Tesla may face serious competition from FCEVs in the zero-emissions market.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars are less efficient than electric cars
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are an exciting prospect, offering a potentially clean, emission-free alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. However, there are several reasons why hydrogen fuel cell cars are currently less efficient than electric cars.
Firstly, hydrogen fuel cell cars are hampered by the lack of extensive hydrogen infrastructure. As of 2020, there were only 43 publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations in the US, with a more promising 91 stations in Japan in 2017. In contrast, electric vehicles can utilise the existing nationwide electrical system, and the development of a charging network is a less daunting task than building a new hydrogen economy.
The cost of hydrogen fuel is another factor contributing to the lower efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell cars. The total cost of ownership for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is around 40% higher than for gasoline vehicles and about 10% more than electric vehicles. This is because the hydrogen needed to move a hydrogen fuel cell car a kilometre costs approximately eight times as much as the electricity required for a battery-powered electric car to travel the same distance.
The production of hydrogen fuel for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles often involves natural gas, resulting in CO2 emissions. On the other hand, electric vehicles can be powered by renewable sources, reducing their carbon footprint.
In addition, the limited availability of hydrogen fuel has been a cause for concern. In 2024, a class-action lawsuit was filed in California by Mirai owners, citing the lack of availability of hydrogen fuel for their fuel cell cars.
Finally, advancements in battery and charging technology for electric vehicles are eroding the advantages of hydrogen fuel cell cars, such as longer ranges and faster fuelling times.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have the potential to revolutionise the automotive industry, they currently face several challenges that make them less efficient than electric cars.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel cell car is a vehicle that uses a fuel cell system, which combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power the car.
A fuel cell car combines hydrogen from the fuel tank and oxygen from the air to generate electricity, with water vapour as the by-product. This electricity then powers the car's electric motor.
Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota are some of the companies that have built or are building fuel cell cars. Honda was the first company to establish a fuel cell vehicle dealer network in 2008 and has since released several fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai introduced the Nexo in 2018, and Toyota has the Mirai, which was introduced in 2015.
Fuel cell cars offer several benefits over traditional internal combustion engines and battery-powered electric vehicles. They produce electricity themselves, eliminating the need for recharging, and have shorter refuelling times. They are also emission-free, producing only water vapour, heat, and electricity during the chemical reaction.
