Why Hydrogen Vehicles Haven’t Taken off (And Probably Never Will)

Summary

• Hydrogen fuel cells were once seen as a leading contender in decarbonizing transportation, offering zero emissions and comparable driving experiences to gasoline vehicles
• Despite early promise, hydrogen vehicles have faced challenges in gaining widespread adoption, with limited availability and infrastructure
• High costs of ownership and a lack of refueling stations are major barriers to adoption
• Hydrogen vehicles are less energy-efficient than EVs and face challenges in achieving sustainability, particularly in hydrogen production methods
• The rapid advancements and growing popularity of EVs have made it difficult for hydrogen vehicles to compete

A couple of decades ago, hydrogen fuel cells were hailed as a revolutionary technology that could transform the automotive industry. Promising zero emissions and a driving experience comparable to gasoline vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars were seen as a strong contender alongside battery electric vehicles (EVs) in the race to decarbonize transportation. Both technologies offered a path to eliminate climate-polluting gasoline, and for a time, it seemed that hydrogen might even outpace its battery-powered counterpart. 

However, fast-forward to today, and the landscape looks very different. While EVs have surged ahead, with major automakers rapidly electrifying their fleets and expanding charging networks, hydrogen vehicles have struggled to gain a foothold. Only a few hydrogen models are available on the market, and they remain a niche option. So, what happened to the once-promising technology poised to revolutionize the automotive industry? This article will explore the factors that have hindered the widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles and examine the challenges they face in competing with the growing dominance of EVs.