Steve
Member
Hydrogen cars, once seen as a promising alternative to gasoline and electric vehicles, have largely failed to gain mainstream adoption. Here’s why hydrogen cars flopped:
1. Lack of Refueling Infrastructure
- Hydrogen fuel stations are rare and expensive to build (about $1-2 million per station).
- Unlike EV charging, which can be done at home, hydrogen refueling requires specialized stations, making long trips inconvenient.
- Even in regions that invested in hydrogen (e.g., California, Japan, Germany), station rollouts have been slow and unreliable.
2. High Production and Distribution Costs
- Hydrogen is not a naturally occurring fuel and must be produced, stored, and transported.
- Green hydrogen (made from water via electrolysis) is energy-intensive and currently inefficient.
- Transporting hydrogen requires high-pressure tanks, cryogenic cooling, or conversion into other compounds, all of which add cost.
3. Efficiency Losses Compared to EVs
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs) waste more energy than Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).
- Energy pathway comparison:
- EVs: ~85% efficient from electricity to wheels.
- Hydrogen Cars: ~30-40% efficient due to losses in production, compression, and fuel cell conversion.
- Gasoline Cars: ~20-30% efficient.
- Since BEVs are more energy-efficient, they make more sense for most consumers.
4. High Vehicle Costs & Limited Model Availability
- Hydrogen cars like the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda Clarity Fuel Cell have been expensive ($50,000+).
- Low production numbers prevent cost reductions.
- Automakers are shifting focus to BEVs because of stronger demand and lower costs.
5. Limited Performance and Practicality
- Hydrogen fuel cells can’t match the instant torque and acceleration of EVs.
- Storage is an issue: Hydrogen tanks take up space, reducing cargo and passenger room.
- Refueling time is faster than EVs (~5 min), but finding a station is difficult.
6. Poor Market Adoption and Government Shifts
- Governments and automakers are prioritizing EVs over hydrogen due to infrastructure and efficiency advantages.
- Even Toyota, once a strong hydrogen advocate, is now investing heavily in solid-state batteries and BEVs.
- Some regions (e.g., California) closed hydrogen stations due to low demand.
7. Hydrogen is Better for Industry, Not Cars
- Hydrogen works better for heavy industries like steelmaking, shipping, and aviation.
- Trucks, ships, and planes benefit from hydrogen’s high energy density, unlike passenger cars which can use batteries more efficiently.
Conclusion: BEVs Won the Battle
- Battery Electric Vehicles have better efficiency, infrastructure, and cost-effectiveness for most consumers.
- Hydrogen might still have a future in long-haul transport and industrial applications, but not in personal cars.