Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicles (Part 2: Running a different marathon)

Having the potential to outperform electric vehicles (EVs) in several environmental indicators, albeit situationally, shows that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) are not to be overlooked. Yet, the latter comprises just 0.5% of new low-carbon vehicles sales. Why then, is market adoption so much more favourable for EVs? The below video provides several insights.

Much of this disparity in consumer reception boils down to the current lack of practicality for FCVs, both in convenience and affordability. Even the FCV frontier markets in China and California continue to suffer from shortages in refuelling infrastructure – unlike EVs, this cannot be mitigated by charging one’s vehicles at home. Coupled with the high costs of hydrogen fuels, this renders FCV ownership unfeasible for the average consumer.

However, it would be myopic to label FCVs as a distraction from achieving sustainability in road transport. FCVs confer operational advantages over EVs through their speed of refuelling and reduced weights, which are especially important in high-utilization heavy vehicles ranging from public buses to logistics trucks. Increasing driving range in FCVs is also easier than in EVs, since expanding the capacity of a hydrogen storage tank is cheaper than for a lithium-ion battery pack. This allows FCVs to become economically viable when long driving ranges are required, as illustrated in the cost-comparison below for semi-trailer trucks.

Source: Ceno et al., 2018

Overall, FCVs and EVs are more accurately portrayed as complementary technologies rather than competitors or substitutes, since they both cover segments of the vehicle market when the other falls short. Though expanding hydrogen production involves potential risks of increasing dependence on fossil-fuels, it can also enhance renewable energy systems by storing excess electricity generated, necessitating a nuanced approach in predicting its long-term implications. Nonetheless, much work remains before widespread adoption of FCVs and EVs become a reality, so we will cross those bridges when they appear!