Fuel cell vehicle (FCV) is a vehicle with an electric motor which is powered by a fuel cell. A fuel cell generates electricity through chemical redox reactions using, generally, oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen. This means that FCVs are fueled with hydrogen and they emit only water and heat. Fuel cells have been used in cars, buses, forklifts, planes, trains and other vehicles and also in the space industry. They are a good alternative for combustion engines for indoor applications as well as for using in locations with low temperatures. That is because the emission has no effect on the air quality and low-temperature degrees do not affect their performance. This is why forklifts powered by fuel cells are quite often used in refrigerated warehouses.
There were times when hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles appeared to be the ‘next big thing’. However, the rise of battery-electric and hybrid electric vehicles quickly changed the landscape. One of the main challenges facing hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) is the need for an extensive network of hydrogen-refuelling stations. As of 2024, there are only around 54 public retail hydrogen stations in the United States.
Furthermore, hydrogen is still largely produced from fossil fuels, for example through steam methane reforming. This means that many of the environmental issues associated with fossil-fuel production and use remain, even though FCVs have zero tailpipe emissions.
In addition, the production of fuel-cell systems remains expensive, partly due to the use of platinum catalysts. These factors, combined with the rapid advancement and falling costs of battery technology, have led many car manufacturers to scale back investment in mainstream FCVs and shift their focus towards battery-electric and hybrid vehicles instead.
Synonym(s):
- Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
- Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
