Locator: 48619HYDROGEN.
Updates
RBN Energy: as hydrogen market evolves, best uses will focus on cost, sustainability. Archived. Posted May 14, 2025 -- wow -- original post (below) was posted May 13, 2025 -- one day earlier!
Hydrogen has a well-established, if limited, role in the modern economy. It has been used in refining and ammonia production for decades, but its potential has long been touted in various areas, including decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial processes such as steelmaking, as well as in larger roles in heavy-duty transportation and energy storage.
The last few years have seen a significant push to expand hydrogen’s role — an attempt to capitalize on its versatility and lack of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions — but a number of formidable obstacles to wider adoption remain, including price, availability and infrastructure, in addition to its tenuous political support.
In today’s RBN blog, we look at the challenges that make forecasting the industry’s growth difficult and the emerging consensus around the most practical end uses for hydrogen.
Original Post
Note: some of these links are as much as two years old. ChatGPT would be current, so I assume the "general theme" is accurate but specifics may have changed.
Links:
- Toyota:
- the Mirai XLE
- reduces price of new hydrogen car in California to $15,190
- includes $15,000 of free fuel
- total cost of new Toyota hydrogen car in California: $190
- needs to be fact-checked
- linked at Hydrogeninsight: https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/transport/toyota-reduces-price-of-new-hydrogen-car-in-california-to-just-over-15-000-with-15-000-of-free-fuel/2-1-1769729?zephr_sso_ott=zyTLed.
So, let's go down this rabbit hole.
Google: cost of hydrogen for car mileage
I find this incredibly interesting. I track the fuel-mileage cost for every vehicle I drive, whether I own it, or rent it for a cross-country trip. I pay anywhere from, on average, eleven to thirteen cents per mile. I have, on occasion, gotten down to 9 cents per mile. For hydrogen:
Again, Hydrogeninsight:
Remember: hydrogen was promoted by, ask ChatGPT, "who promoted hydrogen for US transportation:
- Bush, Obama, Biden
- progressives
- the "woke" crowd
Hydrogen: the day the music died -- December 23, 2024. Link here.
Hydrogen is tracked on the blog here.
ChatGPT:
As of 2025, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) are available in the U.S., primarily in California due to its established hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The main manufacturers offering these vehicles are Toyota, Hyundai, and Nikola.
🚗 Passenger Hydrogen Vehicles
Toyota Mirai
-
Type: Mid-size luxury sedan
-
Price: Starts at $50,190 for the XLE trim; Limited trim priced at $67,115
-
Range: Up to 402 miles (EPA estimated)
-
Incentives: Toyota offers a $25,000 rebate, reducing the price to $27,890 for qualified buyers in California, along with 0% APR for 72 months. Additionally, buyers receive $15,000 worth of complimentary hydrogen fuel over six years or three years for leases.
Hyundai Nexo
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Type: Compact crossover SUV
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Price: Starts at $60,135 for the Blue trim; Limited trim priced at $63,585
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Range: Up to 380 miles (Blue trim)
-
Incentives: Includes $15,000 in complimentary hydrogen fuel over six years (three years for leases), eligibility for California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate, and other perks like HOV lane access.
Honda CR-V e:FCEV
(Expected in 2025)
-
Type: Plug-in hydrogen SUV
-
Price: Estimated at $51,350
-
Features: Combines plug-in electric capability for short trips with hydrogen fuel cell technology for extended range, offering flexibility for various driving needs.
🚛 Commercial Hydrogen Vehicles
Nikola Tre FCEV
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Type: Class 8 hydrogen-electric semi-truck
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Target Market: Commercial freight and logistics companies
-
Sales: Nikola sold 72 hydrogen-fuel-cell trucks in Q2 2024, surpassing its 60-unit guidance.
⚠️ Availability and Infrastructure
Currently, hydrogen vehicles are predominantly available in California due to its network of hydrogen refueling stations. Other states, including Kansas, lack sufficient infrastructure, making ownership of hydrogen vehicles impractical at this time.
🔮 Future Developments
-
BMW iX5 Hydrogen: BMW plans to introduce its first hydrogen-powered model in 2028, aiming to expand the hydrogen vehicle market.
-
Hyperion XP-1: A hydrogen-powered hypercar boasting a range of over 1,000 miles and a top speed of 221 mph, currently in development.
For residents outside California, including Kansas, it’s advisable to monitor developments in hydrogen infrastructure and consider alternative zero-emission vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which currently have broader support nationwide.
AI / ChatGPT: often comical. Why in the world ...
- for residents outside California, including Kansas ....
- other states, including Kansas, lack sufficient infrastructure, making ownership of hydrogen vehicles impractical at this time ....
