4 Top Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars

Being able to generate electricity with water as the byproduct sounds like a great design doesn’t it?  So where are all the hydrogen fuel cell cars?

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles don’t use fossil fuels and operate on the basis of the reaction between hydrogen stored in a high-pressure tank and the oxygen absorbed from the air outside. This reaction generates energy that feeds the electric motor.

The biggest challenges for the hydrogen fuel cell consumer market is:

1. There is a very limited supply of vehicles, most of which are expensive, and…
2. A barely developed refueling infrastructure. Entire regions in the US still do not have a single hydrogen filling station.

Hyundai Nexo – is the successor to the Hyunday ix35 FCEV, which was the first to be produced in series, but is only present in a few European markets, as well as the US. The fuel cells of the Hyundai Nexo have been in development for four generations, which should result in better storage, lower fuel consumption and higher performance. Its engine has an output of 120 hp, driven by a 40 kW battery. Three hydrogen tanks hold 6.33 kilograms of hydrogen and provide a range of 756 kilometers.  Biggest disadvantage is the price: it starts at $58,300 in the US.

Toyota Mirai – (Mirai means “future” in Japanese) is a four-seater saloon and has a design reminiscent of the Toyota Prius, and a range of 500 km. It has two hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 5 kilograms…and offers an eight-year or up to 160,000-kilometer warranty.  By 2020, Toyota projects 30,000 units per year to be sold.  Since 2018, the Toyota Mirai has been available at a price starting at $58,500 in the US.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell – One of  3 Honda’s Clarity family members, this hydrogen-only engine option was initially only available in California…but the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is also expected to arrive in Europe in Spring and cost around 60,000 euros. The saloon has an output of 175 hp and a range of 650 kilometers and a fast-filling system for hydrogen gas which only takes between three and five minutes for a full tank.

Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell – The first Mercedes-Benz hydrogen-powered SUV, is only available in Germany and exclusively for rent for around 800 euros per month. For the time being, this model is only intended for companies and not for private individuals and is a pilot project by Mercedes. It has an autonomy of 478 kilometers, the charging of its hydrogen deposits takes only three minutes. The GLC is a hydrogen plug-in hybrid.

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