Hey everyone! Here, we are exploring the latest trends in sustainable transportation. As many of you know, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is more important now than ever if we want to leave our kids on a livable planet. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are one exciting technology that’s gaining traction as a zero-emissions alternative to traditional gas cars. In this article, we will explore the five best hydrogen cars currently available.
How do hydrogen fuel cells work?
Without getting too technical, hydrogen fuel cells work by combining hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity that powers the car. Pretty neat, right? The only by-product is water vapor. No carbon dioxide or other nasty pollutants are getting pumped into the atmosphere. Plus, filling up a hydrogen car is just like gas—you stop at a station for a few minutes, and you’re good to go for hundreds of miles.
For a while, it seemed like hydrogen cars might not take off. But the last few years have seen some major automakers step up with new models that are legitimately ready for daily driving.
Here’s our ranking of the 5 best hydrogen cars currently available. Let me know if you’ve driven any of these or have other questions!
5. Toyota Mirai: Best Hydrogen Cars
The Toyota Mirai is one of the pioneers of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and it has been improved in its second generation. It offers a sleek design, a spacious interior, and a smooth ride. It also has a long range of 313 miles (WLTP) and a fast refueling time of 5 minutes. However, it is also one of the most expensive hydrogen cars, with a starting price of $49,500. It only sells in California and Hawaii in the US and certain parts of Europe and Asia, limiting its availability.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Electric |
| Fuel System | Hydrogen |
| Maximum Horsepower | 182 |
| Maximum Torque | 221 |
| EPA Fuel Economy Equivalent | 74 / 76 / 71 MPGe (combined/city/highway) |
| Fuel Capacity | 37.5 gallons |
| Range | N/A |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Suspension | Multi-Link (front) / Torsion Beam (rear) |
| Brakes | 4-Wheel Disc |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8 inches |
| Tire Size | P235/55VR19 |
| Base Curb Weight | 4255 lbs |
| Passenger Capacity | 5 |
| Trunk Space | 9.6 cubic feet |
4. Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL
The Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL is another plug-in hybrid that can run on both electricity and hydrogen. It has a stylish design, a premium interior, and a dynamic performance. It also has a good range of 30 miles (electricity) or 272 miles (hydrogen) and a fast refueling time of 3 minutes. However, it is also very expensive, with a starting price of $74,000. It only sells in Germany and Japan, resulting in highly restricted availability.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel System | Hydrogen |
| Maximum Horsepower | 197 hp (147 kW) |
| Maximum Torque | 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) |
| EPA Fuel Economy Equivalent | N/A |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.4 kg |
| Range | 30 miles (electricity) / 272 miles (hydrogen) |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drivetrain | All Wheel Drive |
| Suspension | N/A |
| Brakes | N/A |
| Wheel Size | N/A |
| Tire Size | N/A |
| Base Curb Weight | N/A |
| Passenger Capacity | N/A |
| Trunk Space | N/A |
Some of the items are N/A in the above table because the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell is a limited production vehicle that is only available for lease in Germany and Japan. Therefore, the manufacturer has not published or confirmed some of the specifications.
3. Honda Clarity Fuel Cell: Best Hydrogen Cars
Honda’s been perfecting its hydrogen technology for a while, and it shows in the clarity. This spacious midsize sedan will comfortably seat five adults. The Honda Clarity is not only a hydrogen-driven car but also a plug-in hybrid and a battery-electric car. The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is the hydrogen variant. It uses a fuel cell stack to generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor to power the wheels and can also be recharged from an external source.
The Honda Clarity is not a pure hydrogen car but a plug-in hybrid that can run on both electricity and gasoline. It has a sleek design, a comfortable interior, and a smooth ride. It also has a good range of 47 miles (electricity) or 308 miles (gasoline) and a fast charging time of 2.5 hours. However, it is also quite expensive, with a starting price of $33,400. It also has limited availability, as it is only sold in California and Oregon in the US and some parts of Europe and Asia. Overall, it’s an excellent choice if you value reliability.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel System | Regular unleaded |
| Maximum Horsepower | 212 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | N/A |
| EPA Fuel Economy Equivalent | 110 MPGe (combined) |
| Fuel Capacity | 7.0 gallons |
| Range | 47 miles (electricity) / 308 miles (gasoline) |
| Transmission | Continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front wheel drive |
| Suspension | Four-wheel independent suspension |
| Brakes | 4-Wheel Disc |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8 inches |
| Tire Size | P235/45VR18 |
| Base Curb Weight | 4252 lbs |
| Passenger Capacity | 5 |
| Trunk Space | 15.5 cubic feet |
2. BMW iX5 Hydrogen
It has all the luxury and tech you expect from BMW with, you guessed it, zero emissions. The iX5 rides on BMW’s modular platform, so it drives smoothly like a 5 Series.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a concept car that has not been released to the public yet. However, it is expected to be launched in 2025. It is based on the BMW X5 SUV, and it has a futuristic design and a luxurious interior. It also has powerful performance, with 295 kW (401 hp) of output. However, it is also likely to be very expensive, as BMW is known for its premium prices. It also has a relatively low range of 313 miles (WLTP) and a long refueling time of 10 minutes.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Electric |
| Fuel System | Hydrogen |
| Maximum Horsepower | 295 kW (401 hp) |
| Maximum Torque | 291 |
| EPA Fuel Economy Equivalent | 61 / 65 / 58 MPGe (combined/city/highway) |
| Fuel Capacity | 41.4 gallons |
| Range | 235 MPG / 1 L/100 Km / 282 MPG UK |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drivetrain | N/A |
| Suspension | N/A |
| Brakes | N/A |
| Wheel Size | N/A |
| Tire Size | N/A |
| Base Curb Weight | N/A |
| Passenger Capacity | N/A |
| Trunk Space | N/A |
Some items are N/A in the above table because the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a concept car that has not been released to the public yet. Therefore, some of the specifications are not available or confirmed by the manufacturer. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is expected to be launched in 2025, so more details may be revealed in the future.
1. Hyundai Nexo: Best Hydrogen Cars
The Hyundai Nexo is another popular hydrogen car, and it has a more SUV-like appearance. Nexo has a high-tech cabin, a large cargo space, and a lot of safety features. Nexo also has a decent range of 235 MPG, 1 L/100 km, and 282 MPG UK. There is also a quick refueling time of 5 minutes. However, it is also quite expensive, with a starting price of $58,735. It has limited availability. It is only sold in California, the US, and some parts of Europe and Asia.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Electric |
| Fuel System | Hydrogen |
| Maximum Horsepower | 161 hp |
| Maximum Torque | 291 |
| EPA Fuel Economy Equivalent | 61 / 65 / 58 MPGe (combined/city/highway) |
| Fuel Capacity | 41.4 gallons |
| Range | 235 MPG / 1 L/100 Km / 282 MPG UK |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front wheel drive |
| Suspension | Strut (front) / Multi-Link (rear) |
| Brakes | 4-Wheel Disc |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7 inches |
| Tire Size | P215/65HR17 |
| Base Curb Weight | 4387 lbs |
| Passenger Capacity | 5 |
| Trunk Space | Front-wheel drive |
Conclusion
Based on these comparisons, the best hydrogen car for you depends on your preferences, budget, and location. If you want a pure hydrogen car with a long range and a fast refueling time, you might like the Toyota Mirai or the Hyundai Nexo. Or else, if you want a plug-in hybrid that can run on both electricity and gasoline, you might like the Honda Clarity or the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL. If you want a concept car that has a futuristic design and powerful performance, you might like the BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
That wraps up our picks for the best hydrogen cars currently available. However, if we had to pick one, we would choose the Hyundai Nexo because it has a balance of features, price, and availability. It has a high-tech cabin, a large cargo space, and a lot of safety features. Nexo also has a decent range and a quick refueling time. It is also more affordable than the Toyota Mirai and the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL and more widely available than the BMW iX5 Hydrogen and the Honda Clarity. Therefore, we think the Hyundai Nexo is the best hydrogen car for you. With more choices like these hitting the market each year, the future is looking bright for sustainable transportation.
