How do hydrogen cars and fuelling stations work? The ...

Hydrogen Vehicle Safety: Myths and Facts

Rest assured, hydrogen vehicles have undergone extensive safety evaluations over the past 20 years. These tanks have been rigorously tested through severe scenarios such as collisions, high-altitude drops, and even gunfire. In the rare case a tank might fail, the hydrogen will dissipate quickly into the atmosphere since it is lighter than air. Comparatively, hydrogen is often regarded as safer than gasoline vapors that linger close to the ground during leaks.

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Purchasing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars: Availability Insights

Despite 25 years of research and development into hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the infrastructure for refueling these cars has lagged significantly. It’s a classic chicken-and-egg scenario regarding which should come first: the hydrogen refueling network or the vehicles themselves.

Currently, models like the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo are on the market in the UK, but they rely on being near one of the approximately 15 hydrogen stations (as of August, this number varies as stations open and close). The few hydrogen vehicles in use are primarily operated by fleets and commercial organizations.

There are also a handful of BMW iX5 Hydrogen models under trial in the UK, but they are not yet available for purchase. However, interested customers can directly reach out to manufacturers to inquire about leasing or purchasing both the Toyota and Hyundai models.

The pricing for the Toyota Mirai starts at £49,995 for the Design trim, rising to £64,995 for the Design Premium model. A Design Plus model can be leased for approximately £450 a month over a three-year term. The Hyundai Nexo is priced around £70,000, and similarly, those interested in leasing can contact Hyundai directly. Both brands emphasize the necessity of residing near a hydrogen station for ownership feasibility.

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Affordability of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars: A Future Outlook

The fuel cell technology has matured significantly; however, the limited availability of refueling stations remains a significant hurdle. Plans are underway to establish the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub in northeast England, backed by an £8 million grant aimed at supporting hydrogen refueling, primarily targeting delivery trucks while potentially serving passenger vehicles too. As the refueling network expands, we may eventually see a larger availability of hydrogen fuel cell cars, but it could take a substantial amount of time before they become as readily available as battery electric vehicles in car dealerships.

Where to Find Hydrogen and Locate Your Nearest hydrogen filling station?

Hydrogen Refueling Made Easy

Unlike electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars don't require traditional charging. Instead, they are refueled with hydrogen gas, a process similar to pumping fuel into a gasoline or diesel vehicle. Filling a hydrogen car typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes to complete a full tank.

Presently, there are over 100 hydrogen refueling stations operating throughout Europe with more expected to launch in the coming years.

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