U.S. Hydrogen Automotive Gross sales Plummet By 70% In Q1 2024

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Hydrogen gas cell automotive gross sales in america—and by that, we imply in California, the place the series-produced fashions can be found—continued to lower at a big fee in latest months.

In response to the Hydrogen Gas Cell Partnership’s knowledge, 223 new hydrogen gas cell automobiles (aka FCV or FCEV) had been offered within the U.S. in Q1. It is 70% lower than a yr in the past, the slowest first quarter since 2016 and the second such sluggish quarter in a row.

Hydrogen Gas Cell automobiles are zero-emission

The automobiles powered by hydrogen gas cells are form of like series-hybrids, the place hydrogen is used to generate electrical energy for the electrical motor. It is a completely different strategy to reaching zero-emission driving, in comparison with battery electrical automobiles, that are powered solely by batteries.

The Hydrogen Gas Cell Partnership’s FCVs gross sales knowledge comes from Baum and Associates and is predicated on gross sales to retail and fleet clients.

In the case of FCV fashions, there are solely two. The Toyota Mirai is the first one with 172 gross sales in Q1 (down 74% year-over-year). The Hyundai Nexo sells at a noticeably decrease quantity—51 models in Q1 (down 22% year-over-year).

Honda not presents the Honda Readability Gas Cell, however the Japanese firm is introducing a hydrogen plug-in mannequin the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV, which InsideEVs checked out in March. This mannequin won’t increase the struggling FCV phase, as a result of will probably be in restricted provide.

On high of the restricted automotive availability, the problems for the phase are excessive costs of hydrogen and weak refueling infrastructure. Shell introduced in February that it could shut all seven websites in California instantly.

Hydrogen automotive gross sales in Q1’2024 (YOY change):

Hydrogen gross sales reported by the producers in Q1’2024 (YOY change):

  • Toyota Mirai: 172 (down 74%)
  • Hyundai Nexo: 51 (down 22%)

For reference, in 2023, 2,978 new hydrogen automobiles had been offered (the numbers had been up to date in comparison with the earlier report), some 10% greater than in 2022.

Hydrogen automotive gross sales in Q1-This fall’2023 (YOY change):

Hydrogen gross sales reported by the producers in Q1-This fall’2023 (YOY change):

  • Toyota Mirai: 2,737 (up 31%)
  • Hyundai Nexo: 241 (down 41%)

There’s a probability that with one other cargo of FCVs from Japan or South Korea, gross sales will enhance within the following quarters. Nonetheless, total the zero-emission competitors with all-electric automobiles seems to be over. Possibly it by no means actually began.

The window of alternative for FCVs closed when EVs had been strengthened by long-range variations and promising quick charging options (as much as 80% state-of-charge in lower than 20 minutes). On the identical time, not one of the FCV points had been solved—total effectivity in comparison with EVs, excessive price of automobiles and refueling, in addition to lack of refueling infrastructure.

The general cumulative gross sales of FCVs within the U.S. exceeded 18,000 as of the tip of the quarter (not counting automobiles faraway from use), which is 16% greater than a yr in the past. This quantity contains over 14,000 Toyota Mirai (nearly 79% of all FCVs).

We guess that at this fee, the 25,000th hydrogen gas cell automotive shall be offered no sooner than late 2025.

As of January 10, 2024, the variety of open retail hydrogen stations in California stood at 55 (the identical quantity as in January):

  • Open – Retail: 55 (steady)
  • Open – Legacy Retail: 0
  • Presently Unavailable: 6
  • In Development: 2
  • In Allowing: 18
  • Proposed: 4
  • On maintain: 5
  • Complete (Gentle Obligation): 90 (down from 97)

The variety of websites beneath development, in allowing or proposed standing, decreased in comparison with the earlier studies. See the total record of hydrogen infrastructure right here.

A fast calculation reveals that there are 331 automobiles per single station (cumulative gross sales divided by the variety of open retail stations). Though, it is much less as a result of early automobiles which have been faraway from service.

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