Hydrogen's Hurdles: Why It's Not Fueling the Future of Cars

The vision of hydrogen fuel cells powering our cars is fizzling out faster than a deflating balloon at a birthday party. While hydrogen vehicles promise a quick refuel and zero emissions, their appeal is dwindling amid practical and economic challenges.

Despite the green allure, these vehicles are trailing far behind electric vehicles (EVs) in the clean transport race. In 2023, for every hydrogen car that rolled out, a thousand EVs zipped by, showcasing a stark preference in consumer and industry trends.

The roadblocks? Hefty price tags, scarce fueling stations, and the inherent inefficiency of hydrogen energy conversion, with significant energy lost when converting electricity to hydrogen and back again.

Plus, the eco-friendly badge of hydrogen is tarnished, as most hydrogen production today leans heavily on fossil fuels. While sectors like long-haul trucking might still find a friend in hydrogen, for the average commuter, EVs are already answering the call for cleaner travel without the wait for a hydrogen highway.

As we steer into a future dominated by electric power, hydrogen's niche role becomes evident, confined to areas where batteries fear to tread. The question looms: How can we best allocate our budding hydrogen resources in a world eager to cut carbon but facing a buffet of energy options?

Read the full article on MIT Technology Review.

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