The Past, Present and Future of Hydrogen Vehicles: 2023 Update
You may have seen a hydrogen-powered car or two on the road recently. But did you know that the first hydrogen-powered cars go back to the 1800s?
Hydrogen vehicles are a promising complement to internal combustion engines and electric vehicles for personal and commercial usage. Today we’ll talk about the first hydrogen cars – from their humble beginnings to where they are today and what to expect in the future.
1800s: The Beginning
1806: The First Hydrogen-Powered Engine
The first internal combustion engine was powered not by gasoline but by a mix of hydrogen and oxygen in 1806. Swiss engineer Francois Isaac de Rivaz contained hydrogen gas in a balloon and used an electrical Volta starter for the ignition.
Unfortunately, the first hydrogen-powered car designed by Rivas the following year was a failure.
1860: Enter the Hippomobile - the First Hydrogen-Powered car
IIn 1860, Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir developed the three-wheel Hippomobile -- the first functional hydrogen car. Lenoir created hydrogen by electrolyzing water, and the resulting hydrogen gas powered the one-cylinder, two-stroke engine.
Lenoir eventually sold 350-400 Hippomobiles, setting the stage for the first patented gas-fueled car invented by Karl Benz in 1886.
1889: The First Hydrogen Fuel Cells
While the first fuel cell was conceived in 1839, the term “fuel cell” was first used in 1889 by Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer, who built a fuel cell prototype using industrial coal gas and air.
The 1900s: Hydrogen Takes a Back Seat to Gasoline
While experiments in hydrogen-powered vehicles continued throughout the 20th century, the gasoline-powered combustion engine dominated the automotive industry. Nevertheless, hydrogen innovations evolved.
The 1930s: A New Hydrogen Vehicle Emerges
Fast-forward to 1933 and the birth of the next hydrogen vehicle. Norway’s Norsk Hydro power company developed a hydrogen-powered truck that used an internal combustion engine propelled by extracted hydrogen from an ammonia reformer.
In 1939, a British engineer named Francis T. Bacon developed a five-kilowatt fuel cell, the first mainstream fuel cell of the 20th century. However, it took Bacon twenty more years to refine his design to the point where the cell could power a welding machine.
1941: Gas Shortages Fuel Hydrogen Progress
In 1941, Russia converted 200 gasoline-powered trucks to run on hydrogen. Hydrogen gas burned cleaner and ran longer than gasoline, which was in short supply due to WWII fuel shortages.
1959: Fuel Cells Arrive
In 1959, a fuel cell powered a 2-horsepower tractor, the first of its kind. Then, in the early 1960s, GE produced a fuel-cell electrical power system for NASA’s space program. To this day, these hydrogen fuel cells provide drinking water for space crews during flight.
1966: General Motors Leads the Way
In 1966, General Motors’ Electrovan, one of the first fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), used a fuel cell that combined liquid oxygen and supercooled liquid hydrogen. This innovation was the first step toward using pressurized hydrogen and oxygen derived from ambient air.
The 1970s: Environmental Concerns Prompt Efficiency Efforts
Concerns about air pollution and fuel shortages drove clean energy innovations. While hydrogen fuel cell cars were largely one-off demonstrations, several vehicle manufacturers experimented with FCEVs and created hydrogen storage systems.
The 1980s: Transport Applications Grow
The Navy began studying using fuel cells in submarines to utilize their efficient and stealthy operational qualities. Submarines powered by fuel cells can remain undetected underwater for up to three weeks.
1998: Iceland Goes Big on Hydrogen
In 1998, Iceland announced its plan to create a hydrogen economy. Iceland planned to convert all its public transportation vehicles to fuel-cell vehicles over ten years.
1999: Europe Explores Fuel Cell Technology Development
In 1999, the first commercial hydrogen station for trucks and cars opened in Germany. Meanwhile, Daimler Chrysler introduced its liquid hydrogen vehicle, the NECAR 4, to critical raves.
The 2000s: Modern Fuel Cells Revolutionize Hydrogen Technology
As the new millennium began, concerns over emissions, efficiency and energy security began to surface. Increased focus on reducing dependence on fossil fuels was a catalyst for revisiting the development of fuel cells as a sustainable energy source.
Hydrogen-Powered Public Transportation Goes Global
In 2018, Norway, China and parts of the UK began using fuel-cell buses and other hydrogen-powered vehicles. In addition, hydrogen plants began to spread, enabling countries like Australia to produce and export hydrogen fuel.
Major Automakers Make Investments in Hydrogen Car Development
The push to move away from fossil fuels has again sparked interest in hydrogen fuel cell technology. This push prompted auto manufacturers like Toyota and Hyundai BMW to develop and release hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
As of February 2023, there were 56,000 passenger FCEVs out on the open road.
These makes and models (available in select markets) include:
- Toyota Mirai (released in 2014)
- Hyundai Nexo (released in 2018)
- Honda FCX Clarity (produced from 2016 to 2021)
In addition, newer hydrogen cars in development include:
- BMW iX5
- Honda CR-V FCEV
- Hyundai Staria Fuel Cell
- Ineos Grenadier FCEV
- Kia Fk/Hyundai FK
- Kia Carnival FCEV
- Load Rover Defender
- Range Rover FCEV
- Toyota Hilux Hydrogen
Fuel Cell Costs Decrease
According to the American Department of Energy (DoE), fuel cell costs have fallen by 80% since 2002. They also reported that further developments in fuel cell technology could put hydrogen car prices within an average consumer’s grasp within a decade.
The Future of Hydrogen Vehicles
It may take longer for hydrogen-powered consumer vehicles to become viable for large-scale distribution, primarily because of infrastructure limitations. However, a recent study revealed that people now favor hydrogen as an alternative clean energy source, indicating a public opinion shift. In addition, the market for commercial vehicles and mass transit powered by hydrogen is promising.
In August 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It promised, among other things, investments in low-carbon energy that will help drive down consumer spending on hydrogen fuel.
With the global hydrogen fuel cells market projected to reach $13.7 billion by 2026, expanding our hydrogen infrastructure is more critical than ever. FASTECH is a leader in hydrogen infrastructure projects, partnering with companies like Shell and Toyota to design and build hydrogen refueling stations.
If you’re looking for a trusted end-to-end energy solutions partner focused on the future, you came to the right place. Contact us today to learn how FASTECH can help with your hydrogen refueling project.
