Sales of hydrogen fuel cell cars, an alternative zero-emission solution to battery-electric cars, remain low without much chance for significant growth.
According to the California Fuel Cell Partnership‘s data, during the third quarter of 2022, only 153 hydrogen fuel cell cars (aka FCV or FCEV) were sold in the US, which is 82% less than a year ago. That’s a pretty weak result, even for FCVs, which from time to time were even able to reach 1,000 units per quarter (in Q1, 2021 and Q1, 2022).
Related: Plug-in Hybrid Sales Fall as Demand for Full EVs Increases
Comparing those results to all-electric cars only adds to our skepticism related to FCVs, which have a variety of issues (price of the car, overall energy efficiency, and lack of refueling infrastructure to name the three major ones, plus the limited number of models and limited geographical availability – basically only California).
If we combine the overall results with the numbers reported by the manufacturers (Toyota and Hyundai ), then it turns out that only two models were actively sold – the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai NEXO.
Sales in Q3 2022 (Mirai and NEXO sales as reported by the manufacturers):
- Toyota Mirai – 79 (down 88%)
- Hyundai NEXO – 74 (down 50%)
- Other models – 0 (down 100%)
- Total: 153 (down 82%)
So far this year, almost 2,000 hydrogen fuel cell cars were sold in the US, which is 28% less than a year ago. In full 12 months of 2021, some 3,341 new FCVs were sold.
Year-to-Date Sales (Mirai and NEXO sales as reported by the manufacturers):
- Toyota Mirai – 1,437 (down 37%)
- Hyundai NEXO – 345 (up 22%)
- Other models – 205 (up 6%)
- Total: 1,987 (down 28%)
The Toyota Mirai is the best-selling FCV model and also is the only one that crossed 10,000+ units delivered cumulatively (since Q4, 2015). The overall cumulative number of FCVs is over 14,000, which gives Toyota about 75% market share. As of October 3, 2022, the number of open retail hydrogen stations in California stood at 57, which is 7 more than at the beginning of the year while 9 new stations are under construction.
Source: InsideEVs
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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