Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles Struggling in EV-Focused Infrastructure

Though advances continue to be made in hydrogen-powered vehicle technology, improvements in infrastructure are needed before they can reach the level of battery electric vehicles, reports Popular Science.

Sergey Paltsev, a senior research scientist at the MIT Energy Initiative and deputy director of the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy, broke down what exactly is hindering hydrogen-powered vehicles from flourishing right now.

With a decrease in battery prices and a preexisting electrical grid, EVs are having a much smoother transition onto U.S. roads than hydrogen-powered vehicles.

“It’s not just the cost of the car,” added Paltsev.

Indeed, it isn’t necessarily the hydrogen-powered vehicle itself that brings high costs, but the current lack of resources to support such a vehicle, such as inadequate fueling infrastructure, energy-conversion inefficiencies, and high prices for hydrogen fuel.

While there are more than 68,000 active public EV charging stations across the U.S. right now, there exists just 55 public hydrogen fueling stations in the country, with nearly all of them being in California.

Of the hydrogen fueling stations that do exist, drivers have often run into problems with them, which was the subject of a recent class action lawsuit against Toyota.

Though we may not see many hydrogen-powered vehicles in the next few years, that doesn’t mean the technology isn’t on its way. In countries like Japan, where drivers face high electricity costs, the idea of hydrogen fuel has much appeal.

Additionally, battery-electric vehicles can be inefficient in areas such as rail and commercial trucks, which are typically hauling heavy loads and don’t require as many fuel stops. If this technology takes hold in these sectors, it may lead to more infrastructure becoming available for conventional hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Paltsev noted that geopolitical issues may lead to battery materials becoming hard to access, as well, potentially paving a path for hydrogen-powered options as well.

“Nothing is going to change next year, or probably not in the next five years, but there are brighter pathways for hydrogen cars,” said Paltsev.