Are Hydrogen Cars Still in the Race? Let’s Find Out. As electric vehicles (EVs) dominate headlines, hydrogen fuel cell cars have quietly been evolving. Once hailed as the future of green mobility, hydrogen-powered vehicles now face stiff competition from battery-electric cars. But are they still a viable option in 2025, or have they lost the race?
In this article, we’ll examine the current state of hydrogen cars, exploring their advantages, challenges, market growth, and future potential in the UK and beyond.
According to Chemistry World, you can buy two hydrogen cars in the UK now. The Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo are available, starting at about £60,000. These cars are special because they can be refuelled in under five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- The current market for hydrogen cars is limited, with only two models available in the UK.
- Prices for hydrogen cars start at around £60,000.
- The refuelling process for hydrogen cars is quick, taking less than five minutes.
- Most hydrogen is currently produced from fossil fuels.
- Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is not yet cost-competitive.
What Are Hydrogen Cars?
Hydrogen cars, also known as hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), use a chemical process to convert hydrogen gas into electricity, which then powers an electric motor. The only by-product from the tailpipe is water vapour, making them clean and emissions-free at the point of use.
Key benefits include:
- Fast refuelling times (typically 3–5 minutes)
- Longer driving range compared to many battery electric vehicles
- Quiet and smooth driving experience
However, as of 2025, hydrogen cars face stiff competition from the rapidly growing battery electric market.
How Do Hydrogen Cars Work?
Before diving into their viability, let’s quickly recap how hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) operate:
- Hydrogen gas is stored in high-pressure tanks.
- The fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen, producing electricity to power the motor.
- The only by-product is water vapour, making FCEVs zero-emission vehicles.
Unlike battery EVs, hydrogen cars refuel in minutes (like petrol cars) and offer longer ranges, making them appealing for specific drivers.
Hydrogen Cars vs Electric Vehicles: The 2025 Reality
In 2025, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have taken the lead in the global race toward decarbonised transport. Their growing popularity is mainly due to:
- Expanding charging infrastructure
- Lower vehicle costs
- Wider model availability
- Strong policy and consumer support
In contrast, hydrogen vehicles remain a niche market. Global FCEV sales are still in the tens of thousands annually, while EV sales have passed the 15 million mark in 2024 alone.
While hydrogen cars can provide quicker refuelling and a longer range in certain situations, they still fall short in terms of availability, refuelling stations, and public awareness.
Challenges Holding Hydrogen Cars Back in 2025
1. Lack of Infrastructure
One of the biggest roadblocks is the limited number of hydrogen refuelling stations. In 2025, there are fewer than 1,000 stations globally, with many regions lacking even a single pump, which makes hydrogen cars impractical for most consumers.
2. High Costs
Hydrogen cars remain expensive, with both the vehicles and the hydrogen fuel themselves costing more than their battery-electric counterparts. For example, the Toyota Mirai is priced above many long-range EVs, while hydrogen fuel can cost 2–3 times more per mile than electricity.
3. Green Hydrogen Supply Issues
Most of today’s hydrogen is produced using natural gas (grey hydrogen), which emits CO₂. Truly sustainable hydrogen, known as green hydrogen, is made via electrolysis using renewable energy; however, it’s still costly and limited in supply.
Scaling up green hydrogen is crucial, but it will take time and a significant investment.
UK Perspective: Are Hydrogen Cars Viable?
In the UK, the future of hydrogen cars looks uncertain. While the government has committed funding toward hydrogen as part of its Net Zero Strategy, the focus is mainly on industrial use and heavy transport, rather than personal vehicles.
There are currently fewer than 15 hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK, and limited consumer models available for sale. Most car buyers are choosing battery EVs due to better support, incentives, and charging availability.
However, hydrogen is expected to play a key role in:
- Decarbonising trucks and buses
- Maritime and rail transport
- Backup power systems
So while the average UK driver may not buy a hydrogen car soon, the technology is far from irrelevant.
British Government’s Hydrogen Strategy
The UK’s Hydrogen Strategy shows steady but uneven progress toward its 2030 goals. While the country has surpassed 1GW of hydrogen production, led by blue hydrogen projects such as HyNet green hydrogen growth lags due to high costs. Transport pilots (hydrogen buses, trucks, and trains) are expanding, but infrastructure remains sparse, with only around 15 public refuelling stations.
Critics highlight over-reliance on blue hydrogen and slow consumer adoption, while heating trials face public scepticism. Despite challenges, hydrogen is carving a niche in heavy transport and industry, though it’s unlikely to rival EVs for passenger cars. The next five years will determine if the UK can scale production and meet its 10GW target while balancing economic and environmental priorities.
Where Hydrogen Cars Are Still Gaining Traction
Despite challenges, hydrogen cars still show promise in various regions and applications.
1. Japan and South Korea
Countries like Japan and South Korea continue to support hydrogen mobility. Toyota (Mirai) and Hyundai (NEXO) remain the two biggest manufacturers of hydrogen cars, and both governments offer heavy subsidies to encourage uptake.
South Korea aims to have 200,000 hydrogen vehicles on the road by 2025, along with a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network.
2. Germany and California
In Europe, Germany is leading the way in hydrogen investment, particularly for heavy transport. Similarly, California is the most developed hydrogen car market in the U.S., with over 50 public hydrogen refuelling stations.
However, outside these regions, hydrogen cars are rarely seen on public roads due to a lack of infrastructure and high production costs.
Conclusion: Cautious Optimism
The UK’s Hydrogen Strategy is making progress, but not as fast as hoped. While blue hydrogen is scaling up, green hydrogen needs more investment. Transport applications are growing, but EVs dominate for passenger cars.
The verdict? Hydrogen won’t replace batteries—but it will play a crucial role in industry, freight, and energy storage. The next five years will determine just how big that role will be.
