Fuel Cell Vehicles – An Alternative Kind of Vehicle

If you want to buy a vehicle that leaves less of a carbon footprint while driving something practical and economical, you may consider hybrid vehicles, EV, and PHEV models. Another option exists that you may not know a lot about – the fuel cell vehicle.

The Market for Fuel Cell Vehicles

A fuel cell vehicle is another type of electric model with a battery or supercapacitor to power an electric motor. The fuel cell is part of the power and uses oxygen and hydrogen. The only emission from these models is heat and water.

Fuel cells aren’t new technology. They have been used in forklifts in warehouses where clean emissions are important for the workers employed. However, they weren’t introduced into automobiles until 2013 with the Hyundai Tucson FCEV. The next model was the Toyota Mirai two years later. Manufacturers are continuing to develop all kinds of vehicles with fuel cells, including motorcycles, buses, boats, and bicycles.

Even though you may not see a lot of fuel cell vehicles on the road in the US, other countries have embraced this technology. The top country for these models is South Korea where over 10,000 fuel cell vehicles are on the road. The US comes in second, followed by China.

How Fuel Cell Vehicles Operate

The fuel cell in a vehicle has three parts. They require an electrolyte, a cathode, and an anode. The fuel cell works like a battery to produce electricity for the electric motor. Unlike other electric vehicles that need to be charged, fuel cell vehicles require refilling with hydrogen, not unlike a gasoline-powered model.

In 2017, Honda released the Clarity Fuel Cell, which had the highest fuel economy ratings at 67 mpg equivalent. At the same time, manufacturers are working to become more efficient with other options besides hydrogen for the fuel cell vehicle. Nissan has been working on a car powered by ethanol for the fuel cell.

Benefits and Challenges of Fuel Cell Vehicles

According to the US Department of Energy, these vehicles may be able to reduce the dependence on foreign oil while reducing emissions that are harmful to the environment. There are no tailpipe emissions from the hydrogen, which means cleaner air for everyone. These models look very similar to traditional vehicles with the hydrogen tank in the same place as the gasoline tank. They also include the amenities you want and expect in a vehicle with no compromises.

The biggest challenge for fuel cell vehicles is the limited availability. Very few models are available for lease or sale. Few fueling stations are in place for use now with most located in California.

The FCVs that are available for sale are more expensive than other vehicles. Costs are going down, which will make them more affordable in the near future. Another area that needs work is in producing hydrogen and getting it to the customer.

Durability is lower for these FCVs, according to the US Department of Energy. This area has improved in recent years, doubling from 29,000 miles to 75,000 miles, but these vehicles must last around 150,000 miles to make them competitive.

Available FCV Models

As of 2021, there are two fuel cell models. The top option is the 2021 Honda Clarity, a mid-size car with a combined 68 MPGe and a range of 360 miles. The second model is the Toyota Mirai with your choice of two trims, including the Limited and XLE. The XLE trim gets up to 74 combined MPGe and a range of up to 402 miles.

Even though these vehicles have limited availability, the market is expected to grow. With zero emissions, FCVs have a promising future.