Hydrogen cars are vehicles that use hydrogen as their fuel source instead of gasoline or electricity. They have a device called a fuel cell that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, which then powers an electric motor. The only emission from hydrogen cars is water vapor, making them very eco-friendly and emissions-free. Before jumping into the Cheapest Hydrogen Cars, we will look into the advantages and challenges of Hydrogen cars.
Advantages of Hydrogen cars
Hydrogen cars have many advantages over conventional cars, such as:
- Good driving range and fuel economy
- Quick and convenient refueling times
- No harmful impact on the environment
- Exclusivity and uniqueness
- Extensive warranties
Challenges of Hydrogen cars
However, hydrogen cars also face some challenges, such as:
- High pricing
- Limited availability
- Scarcity of refueling stations
- Technological adaptation hurdles
- Production difficulties
Despite these challenges, many automakers are investing heavily in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, hoping to make it more accessible and affordable for consumers. In this article, we will look at some of the cheapest hydrogen cars in the world, based on their current or projected prices.
Cheapest hydrogen cars in the world
Let’s dive into the best and cheapest hydrogen cars in the world.
Riversimple Rasa
The Riversimple Rasa is a tiny two-seater car that looks like a futuristic version of the VW XL1. It is designed by a Welsh start-up company called Riversimple, which aims to offer a sustainable and affordable alternative to conventional cars. The Rasa can travel 300 miles on 1.5 kg of hydrogen, weighs just 655 kg, and has a top speed of 60 mph. It also has four electric motors, one for each wheel, and a regenerative braking system that recovers energy.
The Rasa is not for sale, but rather for lease. Riversimple plans to offer three-month and six-month leases for 60 to 80 UK residents. The lease will include the cost of the car, the hydrogen fuel, the insurance, and the maintenance. The estimated monthly cost will be around £500, which is roughly the same as a base-spec diesel Golf. This makes the Rasa one of the cheapest hydrogen cars in the world, at least in terms of monthly payments.
Hyundai Nexo
The Hyundai Nexo is a midsize SUV that is the successor of the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, which was the first mass-produced hydrogen car in the world. The Nexo has a sleek and futuristic design, with a spacious and comfortable interior. It has a 161-hp electric motor that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds. Nexo can travel 380 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, which can be refilled in less than five minutes. It also has advanced safety and driver assistance features, such as a blind spot view monitor, lane following assist, and remote smart parking assist.
The Nexo is currently available in select markets, such as California, South Korea, and Europe. The starting price in the US is $60,135, which is quite high compared to other SUVs. However, Hyundai offers some incentives to lower the cost, such as a $15,000 fuel card, a $7,500 federal tax credit, and a $4,500 California rebate. With these incentives, the effective price of the Nexo can be reduced to around $33,000, which is more affordable and competitive.
Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai is a midsize sedan that is the pioneer of hydrogen cars, as it was the first one to be commercially available in 2015. The Mirai has a sleek and elegant design, with a spacious and luxurious interior. It has an 182-hp electric motor that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds. Mirai can travel 402 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, which can be refilled in less than five minutes. It also has advanced safety and driver assistance features, such as a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alert.
The Mirai is currently available in select markets, such as California, Hawaii, Japan, and Europe. The starting price in the US is $49,500, which is lower than the Nexo, but still higher than other sedans. However, Toyota also offers some incentives to lower the cost, such as a $15,000 fuel card, a $7,500 federal tax credit, and a $4,500 California rebate. With these incentives, the effective price of the Mirai can be reduced to around $22,500, which is very affordable and attractive.
These are the current hydrogen cars that are available or will be available soon in the world. Some upcoming hydrogen cars are expected to launch in the future, such as the BMW iX5, the Hyundai Staria Fuel Cell, the Kia FK, and the Land Rover Defender Fuel Cell Vehicle.
Conclusion
Hydrogen cars are a promising option for sustainable and emissions-free transportation, as they use the most abundant resource in the world to power a vehicle that produces no emissions. However, they are still in their early stages of commercialization and face many challenges, such as high pricing, limited availability, scarcity of refueling stations, technological adaptation hurdles, and production difficulties.
Nevertheless, many automakers are investing heavily in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, hoping to make it more accessible and affordable for consumers. Some of the cheapest hydrogen cars in the world, based on their current or projected prices, are the Riversimple Rasa, the Hyundai Nexo, and the Toyota Mirai. These cars offer good driving range and fuel economy, quick and convenient refueling times, and extensive warranties. They also have sleek and futuristic designs, spacious and comfortable interiors, and advanced safety and driver assistance features.
Hydrogen cars deserve much more recognition than they get at present, as they have the potential to revolutionize the zero-emission vehicle landscape. As the technology improves and the infrastructure expands, we can expect to see more hydrogen cars on the road shortly.
