By Martin Banks
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are two front runners for carbon-free motoring. BEVs are currently in the lead by a mile — though some in the industry consider hydrogen the superior option.
With that in mind, when can drivers expect hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road? Here are some of the latest updates.
Are FCEVS Really Better Than BEVs?
While the auto industry has prioritized BEV production in the 21st century, FCEVs are more sustainable in practice. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and has a higher energy density than any fossil fuel. It contains nearly three times the energy content of gasoline and doesn’t produce any emissions aside from harmless water vapor.
Hydrogen also addresses the main weakness of BEVs — unreliable battery range. FCEVs can carry enough hydrogen fuel for 300-400 miles in any environment, while BEV range varies widely based on road and weather conditions.
Ramping Up FCEV Production
Many hydrogen fuel cell projects are underway around the world. Household names like Toyota have finished their first prototypes.
Toyota’s partnership with truck supplier Kenworth has led to the T680 FCEV, which can run up to 450 miles under certain driving conditions. Projections slate customer deliveries to ramp up in 2024, with a full-scale production following in 2025.
Despite FCEV Advancements, Infrastructure Needs Improvement
Although these recent advancements have shown a lot of promise, improving the fuel cell infrastructure is necessary to speed up FCEV adoption. There are fewer places to refuel because most hydrogen stations in the United States are in California, driving up the cost of transporting this commodity and prices at the pump.
Even the Golden State’s network is too thin to serve the needs of less than 12,000 hydrogen vehicles on the road around the clock. As of January 2024, California only had 66 light-duty open retail stations and just three counties — Los Angeles, Orange and Santa Clara — had 70% of them.
Moreover, you can’t fill up your FCEV’s tank at home yet. You must use public stations to keep your hydrogen-powered electric car from running out of juice. If the automotive industry wants to make hydrogen fuel cells affordable and accessible commodities, they must start working on residential refueling methods.
Hydrogen Hubs in the Works
Fortunately, the U.S. government is aware of the pressing need for a better fuel cell infrastructure and hydrogen hubs are in the works. In October 2023, President Joe Biden announced plans to spend $7 billion to set up seven clean hydrogen hubs nationwide. These hubs will focus on seven key regions — California, the Pacific Northwest, the Heartland, the Midwest, the Gulf Coast, Appalachia and the Mid-Atlantic.
The federal government banks on clean hydrogen to produce 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and fulfill other climate action goals. This initiative can finally expand the hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S., making FCEVs more viable for ordinary motorists and fleet managers.
However, it may take more than a decade before this move yields tangible results. The U.S. Department of Energy’s national hydrogen strategy has four phases — planning, project development, construction and production. If everything goes as planned, the first three phases will take at most six and a half years.
Each implementation phase involves public deliberation, so the plan’s roadmap can change due to lengthy negotiations and “no-go” decisions. Considering the hurdles hub awardees must overcome, there may not be any commercial output before 2035. FCEVs can become as popular as BEVs once clean hydrogen becomes as ubiquitous as gas.
The U.S.’s hydrogen filling network will increase by the dozen, but most of the project is taking place in California. Governor Gavin Newsom has approved Assembly Bill 126, requiring the state Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to spend $20 million yearly until at least 100 hydrogen fueling stations operate in the state.
The target goal is a network of 1,000 statewide hubs, costing $300 million. While there aren’t many FCEVs on the road yet, the California state government recognizes that inadequate infrastructure is one of the reasons these no-pollution vehicles haven’t received the attention and consideration they deserve from consumers.
Newsom’s ambitious project could serve as the blueprint for other state-funded programs to prepare the public for future FCEVs. If the infrastructure is already in place, consumers may be more likely to trade in their gas-powered vehicles.
FCEVs’ Time Will Come
Sustainability isn’t a zero-sum race — FCEVs and BEVs can coexist and share the road in an emission-free future. Hydrogen-powered electric cars and trucks will roam the U.S. when the infrastructure permits them. If these government initiatives are successful, hydrogen fuel cell cars could be publicly available in a limited capacity as early as 2035.
Martin Banks is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Modded. He covers the world of cars, driving, tech, and more.
Editor’s Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the National Motorists Association.
