What Are Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars?

In the early ‘naughts, people probably noticed as American highways suddenly filled with wedge-shaped Toyota Priuses. The harbingers of the alternative fuel revolution touted battery technology as the path to the future. Tesla’s all-electric models have now taken center stage as standard bearers for the eco-friendly. 

However, hydrogen is another sustainable fuel source predating these hybrid and battery-powered technologies. The first hydrogen-powered car was built in 1807. It was quite different from today’s fuel-cell vehicles. Still, humans have known about the potential of natural gas for quite some time.

In recent years, many automakers have launched hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles people may not know about. They’re out there, rolling around American streets today. What makes hydrogen special, though, and what is a fuel cell?

What Is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car?

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are an innovative leap in clean transportation. They use hydrogen to generate electricity instead of relying on fossil fuels or large rechargeable batteries. These vehicles are powered by three main components — a hydrogen tank, a fuel cell stack and an electronic motor.

Unlike conventional cars that burn fuel or battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) that store energy in batteries, FCVs create electricity on demand, offering quick refueling times and extended driving ranges. Available in popular models like sedans and compact SUVs — such as the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo — they provide an exciting glimpse into the future of sustainable mobility.

How Do Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work?

Unlike petroleum-derived fuels, hydrogen has the distinct advantage of abundance. It’s the most abundant natural resource on the planet, but it’s usually bonded to some other molecule. Take water, for example, which is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. 

To extract energy from hydrogen, fuel cells expose it to a platinum catalyst, which pulls the electrons from bonded hydrogen. These particles provide power for an electric motor. They are then rejoined with the hydrogen isotope and oxygen to create water. So hydrogen is easy to find, generates electricity for power, and produces water, the only by-product. It sure sounds better than gasoline at this point.

Where does one go to put hydrogen into their hydrogen-powered car? They would visit a filling station, just like they would for a gasoline-powered vehicle. Instead of gas, though, this one holds chilled compressed hydrogen. 

Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars

Hydrogen fuel cell cars offer a range of benefits that make them a compelling option for eco-conscious drivers and forward-thinking industries. From zero-emission performance to impressive efficiency, these vehicles can meet the demands of a sustainable future.

Environmental Impact

FCVs can achieve zero tailpipe emissions by generating electricity through a clean chemical reaction. When hydrogen from the vehicle’s tank combines with oxygen in the fuel cell stack, the process produces electricity to power the motor.

Unlike gasoline-powered cars — which release harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides — these vehicles emit nothing but water. This benefit makes them an environmentally friendly alternative for reducing air pollution.

Efficiency

Fuel cell cars stand out for their impressive driving range. They often surpass many battery-electric vehicles, running nearly 300 miles between charges. This advantage comes from their ability to store energy as compressed hydrogen, which has a higher density than the batteries in BEVs.

As a result, these vehicles can cover greater distances on a single tank, making them an ideal choice for those who need reliable, long-range performance. Whether for daily commutes or extended road trips, hydrogen fuel cell cars deliver efficiency without compromising convenience.

Refueling Time

Hydrogen fuel cell cars provide a seamless and quick refueling experience that closely mirrors the convenience of gasoline-powered vehicles. Drivers can fill the hydrogen tank in three to five minutes at a refueling station, making it far faster than the hours it can take to recharge battery-electric vehicles.

This efficiency eliminates the long wait times often associated with charging, allowing drivers to hit the road without interruption. For those who value sustainability and convenience, hydrogen fuel cell cars offer a practical solution that fits seamlessly into busy lifestyles.

Energy Independence

Hydrogen cars can significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels by replacing gasoline and diesel with clean hydrogen as an energy source. This shift is particularly impactful because the transportation and communication industries account for nearly 70% of global oil consumption, making them major contributors to fossil fuel demand.

By adopting hydrogen fuel cell technology — which uses a renewable and abundant resource — these industries can transition to a more sustainable energy model. This change reduces greenhouse gas emissions and diversifies energy sources, which contributes to a greener and less oil-dependent future.

Challenges and Limitations

Fuel cell cars face significant hurdles, with the limited refueling infrastructure being one of the biggest barriers to adoption. As of 2024, the U.S. has only 78 hydrogen refueling stations, most of which are concentrated in California. This lack of availability makes it challenging for drivers to rely on hydrogen-powered vehicles for everyday use, especially in regions where stations are non-existent. For this technology to thrive, a substantial investment in building a widespread and accessible refueling network is essential.

Another challenge is the high production cost of hydrogen fuel and fuel cells. Current hydrogen production methods — such as electrolysis and natural gas reforming — are energy-intensive and expensive, limiting the scalability of this technology. On top of that, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles face strong competition from battery-electric vehicles, which have already established a robust market presence.

BEVs benefit from an extensive charging network, declining production costs and growing consumer adoption, making them a more accessible choice for many drivers. Overcoming these obstacles will require innovation, investment and collaboration across industries to make hydrogen a competitive and sustainable energy option.

The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars

The hydrogen fuel cell market is on the verge of explosive growth, with experts predicting it will expand more by 2032. Advancements in hydrogen production — such as more efficient electrolysis and the rise of green hydrogen — drive costs down and make the technology more sustainable.

Fuel cells also hold immense potential in decarbonizing heavy transport — particularly for buses and trucks — thanks to their long ranges and fast refueling capabilities. Collaboration between governments, automakers and energy companies is essential to make this vision a reality. Governments can pave the way with supportive policies and infrastructure investments. Meanwhile, automakers and energy providers innovate and scale production.

Keeping Up with the Future of Hydrogen Fuel Technology

Staying informed about hydrogen fuel cell technology is crucial to understanding its potential for transportation and reducing environmental impact. Keeping up with advancements in hydrogen production, vehicle innovations and infrastructure growth allows individuals to gain valuable insights into clean energy.

Original Publish Date 6/12/2019 — Updated 11/18/2024