Regan Brown
The history of hydrogen fuel cell cars goes back to the 1800s. The first internal-combustion-engined (ICE) vehicle to be powered by hydrogen was created by Swiss inventor Francois Isaac de Rivaz in 1807, although it would be over 150 years before the first modern hydrogen-powered vehicle arrived. In 1860, Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir developed the Hippomobile, the first functional hydrogen car, and sold 350-400 of them. However, it would be another century before the next hydrogen vehicle was developed, this time by Norway's Norsk Hydro power company in 1933. The first road vehicle to use a fuel cell was the Chevrolet Electrovan, introduced by General Motors in 1966. Since then, several manufacturers have experimented with hydrogen fuel cell cars, and as of 2021, there were two publicly available models: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo.
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What You'll Learn
The first hydrogen fuel cell car
The history of the hydrogen fuel cell car goes back to the 1800s. In 1807, Swiss inventor Francois Isaac de Rivaz created the first internal-combustion-engined (ICE) vehicle powered by hydrogen. This vehicle, however, did not resemble a modern car and looked more like a "torture device". In 1839, the first fuel cell was conceived by Sir William Robert Grove, a Welsh judge, inventor, and physicist. He combined hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an electrolyte, producing electricity and water. This invention later became known as a fuel cell, but it did not generate enough electricity to be practical.
The first modern hydrogen-powered vehicle was the Chevrolet Electrovan, introduced by General Motors in 1966. It was the first road vehicle to use a fuel cell and the first fuel cell on wheels. The Electrovan used a combination of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, with a top speed of 70 mph and a range of approximately 150 miles. Safety concerns limited its use to company property.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, several hydrogen-powered vehicles were introduced to the global market, including the Honda FCX Clarity in 2008, which was available for lease in Japan and Southern California. In 2014, Toyota launched the Mirai, the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, in Japan, followed by sales in California and select European markets in 2015. Hyundai also entered the market in 2018 with the Nexo, which has been available in Korea, the US, the UK, and Australia.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have been developing over the years, they face competition from battery-electric vehicles. As of the 2020s, hydrogen light-duty vehicles, including passenger cars, have been sold in small numbers. However, the market for commercial vehicles and mass transit powered by hydrogen is promising, and the global hydrogen fuel cells market is projected to grow.
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Hydrogen fuel cell technology
The first vehicle to use a hydrogen fuel cell was the Chevrolet Electrovan, introduced by General Motors in 1966. This early prototype combined super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, marking the beginning of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
While hydrogen fuel cell cars have largely been limited to demonstrations and experiments, several manufacturers have made strides in developing hydrogen storage systems and vehicles. Toyota's Mirai, launched in 2014, was the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, followed by the Hyundai Nexo in 2018. These vehicles offer extended driving ranges and fast refuelling, showcasing the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The market for hydrogen fuel cells is projected to grow, with a shift in public opinion favoring hydrogen as a clean energy source. However, the infrastructure for widespread consumer adoption is still a challenge. Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to its small molecule size, and the distribution of hydrogen-powered vehicles may take longer due to these limitations. Nevertheless, with investments in low-carbon energy and advancements in technology, hydrogen fuel cell technology is poised to play a significant role in the future of clean energy and transportation.
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Hydrogen fuel cell market
The hydrogen fuel cell market is growing rapidly, driven by several factors, including environmental concerns, technological advancements, and government initiatives. The global hydrogen fuel cell market size was estimated at USD 4.35 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately USD 27.49 billion by 2034, representing a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.24% from 2025 to 2034.
North America, led by the United States, dominated the market with a 47% share in 2024, supported by research and development programs, government incentives, and funding for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region, driven by increasing energy demand, rising disposable income, and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
The transportation sector, including passenger vehicles, long-haul trucks, and buses, is a key driver of market growth. The cost of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) has decreased significantly, making hydrogen-powered options more affordable and attractive for everyday use. The global FCV market is projected to expand from $2.5 billion in 2022 to over $30 billion by 2032, a remarkable growth rate.
Advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technology have improved efficiency and performance, leading to reduced costs and wider adoption. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are commonly used designs, with PEMFCs accounting for over 76% of units shipped in the United States in 2016 due to their versatility and compact size. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) further optimizes the design and performance of hydrogen fuel cells, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
However, the market faces challenges, including the limited availability of reliable hydrogen supply and the durability of hydrogen systems. Efforts are being made to address these issues, with companies investing in research and infrastructure to scale up green hydrogen production and reduce costs.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vs. battery electric vehicles
The first functional hydrogen car was developed in 1860 by Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir, who created the Hippomobile, a three-wheeled vehicle powered by hydrogen. However, Lenoir's invention did not lead to widespread adoption, and the gasoline-powered combustion engine dominated the automotive industry for the next century.
Today, there is a renewed interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use a fuel cell and pressurized tanks of hydrogen gas to power the vehicle. The fuel cell strips the electrons from the hydrogen molecules, generating electricity to power the vehicle's electric motor. One of the advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is their long driving range and quick refuelling time. For example, the Toyota Mirai, one of the first commercially produced dedicated fuel cell electric vehicles, has a range of 312 miles and takes about five minutes to refill its hydrogen tank.
However, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also have several disadvantages. One of the main challenges is the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling stations, which can be costly to build and operate. As a result, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have not seen the same level of adoption as battery-electric vehicles, which have benefited from a better-established infrastructure and falling battery prices. In 2023, only 3,143 hydrogen cars were sold in the US, compared to 380,000 BEVs. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are generally more expensive, with higher fuel costs contributing to a higher total cost of ownership.
Despite these challenges, there is still potential for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to play a significant role in the future of transportation. With improvements in fuel cell technology and increasing concerns about emissions and energy security, hydrogen may become a more viable option for consumers. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells may be particularly well-suited for heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, where the power source needs to be compact and lightweight.
In conclusion, while battery-electric vehicles currently have several advantages over hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in terms of cost, infrastructure, and efficiency, the future of transportation is likely to include a mix of both technologies. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have their own unique benefits, and with further advancements and investments in the field, they may become a more competitive option in the market.
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Hydrogen fuel cell cars and the environment
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are powered by an electric motor and are classified as e-cars. They are similar to electric cars in that they use the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels. However, they are powered by a fuel cell stack that combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, instead of a large, heavy battery. This makes them a type of hybrid vehicle.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are considered to be environmentally friendly because they produce zero tailpipe emissions and the only waste product is water vapour. Hydrogen is also one of the most efficient ways to store and transport renewable energy, so it is expected to play a significant role in the future energy supply. The combination of fuel cells and batteries can also extend the driving range of vehicles.
The first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was created in 1966 by General Motors, which introduced the Chevrolet Electrovan. This vehicle used a fuel cell that combined super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. However, it was not until the late 2000s and early 2010s that hydrogen cars began to be gently launched into the global marketplace. Since 2015, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota have offered hydrogen-powered cars for sale. However, as of mid-2022, there were 17,000 or fewer hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, compared to almost three million electric vehicles.
One of the main advantages of hydrogen fuel cell cars over electric vehicles is their short refuelling time. Refuelling a hydrogen car takes only a few minutes, whereas charging an electric vehicle can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. This makes hydrogen cars comparable to traditional petrol or diesel cars in terms of refuelling convenience. However, the availability of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure is still limited, with California being the only US state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations.
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Frequently asked questions
The first hydrogen fuel cell car was the Chevrolet Electrovan, introduced by General Motors in 1966.
The first hydrogen fuel cell car designed for mass production was the Honda FCX Clarity, introduced in 2008.
Toyota launched the world's first dedicated mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, in Japan in 2014.
Honda was the first company to lease hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to private customers in 2008.
