BOSTON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the end of
February 2024, the UK ran its second
Hydrogen Week. During this week, Hyundai set two new records for
the driving range of its fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). While
certainly a significant achievement, will the ultimate range of
FCEVs impact consumer opinions and adoption?
Record-setting range
The first record set was for the longest journey in the UK on a
single tank of hydrogen at 406 miles using an ix35 FC. The second
was the longest continuous journey in a hydrogen car, covering
6,000 miles over 6 days around the M25 in London. It should be noted there are a few
other hydrogen cars that have stated ranges above this figure.
However, being a fairly typical SUV, the ix35 is not a vehicle
designed for the ultimate driving range at all costs but a
realistic vehicle for private ownership.
To put this in perspective against battery electric vehicles
(BEVs), according to IDTechEx research, the average stated range of
a BEV sold in Europe in 2023 was
274 miles. Of course, this is stated, and many will be aware that
the driving use case and weather conditions will significantly
impact this figure.
Is it needed?
But the argument is not whether FCEVs can achieve longer ranges
than BEVs, which is widely known, but whether it is needed and, if
the range is the ultimate factor, why haven't FCEVs had more
success?
According to statistics compiled by the UK government, the
average trip length for a car or van driver in 2022 was 8 miles.
The average commute distance was 10 miles. These statistics have
remained fairly consistent over the past 20 years. While this is
just for the UK, the rest of Europe is somewhat similar, and even if the
figures were doubled, this is still far below the range of EVs on
the market. Assuming one can charge at home and/or at work, then a
BEV will suit the vast majority of journeys. The few trips that
people make above the range of their BEV will require a stop, but
it is unlikely to be much longer than one would generally spend
getting a coffee or a meal.
For those who cannot charge at home, a BEV certainly becomes
less attractive, although this is not an insurmountable issue, with
charging points being installed in lamp posts and car parks
becoming more common. Hydrogen infrastructure is lacking, with
fewer than 10 stations open to the public in the UK. Although
similar arguments could be made for a lack of charging
infrastructure 10 years ago, when the current consumer considers a
vehicle, the lack of infrastructure for low-cost green hydrogen is
a major barrier.
Do we need a single solution?
The fuel cell vs battery electric argument is a divisive one,
with proponents strongly backing one side or the other, but that
doesn't always need to be the case. Automotive OEMs like Toyota,
Honda, and Hyundai are continuing to develop both battery electric
and fuel cell cars, with the idea being that one solution will not
suit every use case. There is also a fair amount of overlap with
the drivetrain technology with FCEVs utilizing batteries and
electric motors just like BEVs.
As technology continues to develop, the initial cost of FCEVs
can decrease. Hydrogen infrastructure continues to be deployed
(initially for more viable applications outside automotive
refueling), but this greater availability of hydrogen could make
refueling hydrogen cars more viable in the future.
IDTechEx predicts that battery electric cars will be the
dominant zero-emission automotive technology in the future. While
remaining in the minority, the scale-up of hydrogen infrastructure,
key automotive OEMs backing the technology, and certain regions
pushing for a hydrogen economy, IDTechEx predicts a 60-fold growth
over the next 20 years for fuel cell vehicles across cars, trucks,
vans, and buses.
IDTechEx's report, "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 2024-2044:
Markets, Technologies, and Forecasts", provides technology and
market insights into the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles
for the car, van, truck, and bus market, with analysis of drivers,
barriers, players, models, and market forecasts for 2024-2044.
To find out more about this report, including downloadable
sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/fuelcell.
For the full portfolio of electric vehicles market research from
IDTechEx, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV.
About IDTechEx:
IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging
technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been
helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply
chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more
information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or
visit www.IDTechEx.com.
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