![]() If hydrogen is ever to compete, the fuel will have to be drastically cheaper than gasoline. This is obviously not a scalable solution and once these credits are no longer offered, no amount of altruistic eco-warrior feelings will surmount the initial price-plus-fuel cost numbers for anyone other than Bill Nye. Fuel cell cars themselves are more expensive to purchase new, and the hydrogen fuel costs work out to roughly $5.60 a gallon today according to the California Fuel Cell Partnership.Ĭurrently all three hydrogen cars on the market offer three years’ worth of fuel for free when you lease the vehicle. ![]() Hydrogen, however, has no such favorable arithmetic yet. Add in a pinch of warm feeling from helping to save the world and you have the makings of a rational purchase decision. At every level of the market, you can get a larger and nicer car for the same price as an EV or hydrogen car.Ĭonsumers are willing to swallow this bitter pill in the case of battery electric cars because although the initial purchase price is higher, the monthly savings from not purchasing gasoline tilt the arithmetic just in favor of the consumer. The economics of fuel economyĪt the moment, both fuel cell and battery electric vehicles are more expensive than their internal combustion counterparts, even taking local and federal government incentives into account. The limiting factor here is money, particularly the money belonging to the end consumer and driver. No, what is actually holding hydrogen back is often rarely discussed because it is not as sexy as exploding fuel tanks or life-cycle carbon emissions (and you have to admit both of those are NSFW-level sexy). The technology can be proven and improved, as happens with any piece of engineering with widespread use. ![]() Fuel cells can be made safe in all but the worst crashes, as was done decades ago with gasoline fuel tanks. Every fuel source has its own shortcomings, and hydrogen’s are certainly not outsized compared to its competitors.Įvery fuel source has its own shortcomings, and hydrogen’s are certainly not outsized compared to its competitors.įueling stations can be built in anticipation of future demand, much like what’s being done right now with EV charging stations. But frankly all or some of these are roughly the same negatives as using gasoline, diesel, pure-grain alcohol, steam, or battery electric cars. The detractors of hydrogen would point out that fuel cell tanks can explode in an accident, that the fueling infrastructure is lacking, and that the technology is unproven. And no conversation of hydrogen power would be complete without a mention that this is the most abundant element in the universe – so we can move on now. Lastly, refueling times are comparable to gasoline cars, obviating range anxiety and lengthy charging stops. They boast the performance and instant torque of battery electric cars, while providing greater range than any pure EV on the market today. Hydrogen vehicles are basically electric cars with a fuel tank. It is a clean fuel with no harmful tailpipe emissions (unless you are harmed by water and oxygen. The promises of hydrogen are convincing indeed. Next-gen Toyota Mirai confirmed despite continuing issues with hydrogen tech Hyundai cracks off two new land speed records in fuel cell, hybrid cars Waymo’s next-gen self-driving tech can see what’s happening 500 meters ahead
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