Hydrogen cars: the imminent end of an era?
The crumbling promise of hydrogen cars
The future of hydrogen-powered passenger cars seems increasingly in doubt. For years, hydrogen cars were seen as the promise of a green and sustainable future in the automotive world, but recent developments suggest a different direction. Big names like Toyota, which once pioneered hydrogen technology, are shifting their focus. This shift becomes clear if we look at Toyota’s decisions, which are now leaning more towards vans, trucks, and buses, away from hydrogen-powered passenger cars.
The electric revolution and hydrogen cars
What has led to this change? The rise of all-electric cars seems to play a crucial role. These cars have made significant improvements in recent years in terms of their range. To illustrate, the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen car, can travel up to 650 kilometres, while Toyota’s recently unveiled electric Lexus LF-ZC offers an astonishing range of 1,000 kilometres on a single charge. With the expected introduction of solid-state batteries after 2026, this range is even expected to increase to 1,200 kilometres.
The charging issue
Another critical issue in this technological race is charging time. Hydrogen cars have an advantage here with a refuelling time of just five minutes. However, the gap is narrowing as the latest electric cars from Lexus and Toyota can be charged to 80 per cent in just 10 minutes.
Attempts at popularisation
Toyota has made significant efforts to make hydrogen cars popular, including a free refuelling service in the Netherlands, but these efforts do not seem sufficient. With a limited number of refuelling stations and high production costs, hydrogen car technology remains a challenging proposition. The Toyota Mirai, for example, is still a costly option, even with subsidies.
Future of hydrogen cars in commercial vehicles
Despite declining interest in hydrogen-powered passenger cars, there remains potential for commercial vehicles. For large vehicles, where battery packs are not practical, hydrogen can offer a viable solution for CO2-neutral long-distance travel. Toyota, along with other manufacturers, therefore continues to invest in developing hydrogen technology, with a focus on making fuel cells better and cheaper.
