I distinctly remember the first time I learned about hydrogen-powered cars; it was during the Madrid auto show in 2000. Although the Madrid show isn't as significant or central for the European market as the Geneva show, it occasionally features some vehicles that have already been introduced globally.
The vehicle in question was a 2000 BMW 750 hL, the last model year of the renowned E38 body style. The engineers at BMW had adapted the V12 engine to run either on gasoline or through a small hydrogen fuel cell. Gasoline prices have consistently been higher than those in the US, which made the idea of operating a vehicle powered by the most abundant element on planet earth, and with only H2O as emissions, seem like a thing of the unreachable future.
The idea of using hydrogen in cars is not recent; in fact, it dates back to the 1960s if we consider the current understanding of what a car is today. The US saw the arrival of the first retail hydrogen-powered car with the Honda Clarity FCX in 2008. Deemed by the BBC television show Top Gear as the “car of the future,” it was more of a concept car for sale, than an actual push from Honda to conquer the new market. The limited availability of charging stations made this car what is was supposed to be, a demonstration of technical advancement. Not to mention that it was only available for purchase in California.
It's been 25 years since then, and hydrogen hasn’t really made its way into the mainstream auto markets like many people thought it would. Many brands, especially Toyota, BMW, Honda, and Hyundai, have developed this technology into a retail level with certain models, but liquid hydrogen storage and distribution still remains a “hard nut to crack.”
According to the website Hydrogen Insight, the second quarter of 2024 saw hydrogen-powered car sales fall to only 99 actual vehicles in the US. This is down from 1,094 in the same period of 2023. Despite manufacturers offering large discounts and hydrogen-fuel credits of up to $16,000, these cars have simply not appealed to the US consumer.
There are several reasons behind this lack of interest. Primarily, it's the limited availability of charging stations outside of California. Additionally, there's a gap in understanding what hydrogen fuel cells are and how they function. Transitioning from gasoline-powered cars to hybrids was simpler for the general public because it was environmentally friendly and there was still the option to use gasoline, which made the switch smooth and convenient.
According to an Experian Automotive report on electric vehicles, approximately 4,092,200 electric cars were on U.S. roads in 2024, representing just 1.4% of the nation's 292.3 million cars and trucks. This marks a steady increase from 1.3 million in 2021 and 2 million in 2022. Looking ahead, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory forecasts a dramatic rise, projecting between 30 million and 42 million EVs will be traveling U.S. roads by 2030.
It makes sense to believe that the aftermarket auto repair industry still has plenty of time to get ready for hydrogen-powered vehicles. It's only recently that specific electric vehicle repair shops have begun to appear in the US. As an industry, we need to stay alert because the general public will rely on us to be knowledgeable and equipped when it comes to repairing and servicing hydrogen-powered cars. After all, we are essential service providers.
