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Hydrogen Fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells – GREEN DRIVING

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Hydrogen Fuel cells

Hydrogen Fuel cells

Hydrogen Fuel cells
Hydrogen Fuel cells

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars – Are They Still the Future?

Over the years at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, I’ve seen plenty of changes in the motor industry. From carburettors to fuel injection, and now electric cars, things never stand still.

A few years ago, there was a lot of excitement about hydrogen fuel cell cars, and many people believed they would quickly become a real alternative to petrol, diesel, and even battery electric vehicles.

So where are we now?

🚗 What Is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car?

Put simply, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle works by:

  • Taking hydrogen gas from a tank
  • Passing it through a fuel cell
  • Creating electricity to power the motor

The only by-product is:
👉 Water vapour

So in theory, it’s a very clean system.

🌍 Why Hydrogen Looked So Promising

There are some real advantages to hydrogen:

  • Quick refuelling (similar to petrol or diesel)
  • Long driving range
  • Zero emissions at the tailpipe
  • Lightweight compared to large batteries

And as you rightly pointed out, hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe.

⚠️ So Why Haven’t They Taken Over? Hydrogen Fuel cells

This is where things have slowed down a bit.

Although manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota have developed hydrogen cars (such as the Toyota Mirai), the biggest issue has been infrastructure.

👉 Simply put:

  • There are very few hydrogen filling stations in the UK
  • Most are concentrated around major cities

So for drivers in areas like Halifax, it’s just not practical at the moment.

⛽ The Infrastructure Challenge

Unlike petrol stations or EV charging points, hydrogen requires the following:

  • Specialised storage
  • High-pressure systems
  • Expensive installation

Although there were plans to roll out more hydrogen stations across the UK, progress has been slower than expected.

🔋 Electric Cars Took the Lead: Hydrogen Fuel cells

While hydrogen was developing, battery electric vehicles moved ahead quickly.

With companies like Tesla leading the way and government support for EV charging networks, electric cars have become far more common.

👉 Charging points are now widely available
👉 More models are on the market
👉 Costs are gradually coming down

So electric cars have taken an early lead.

⚙️ Efficiency and Production

Another important factor is how hydrogen is produced.

Most hydrogen today is still made using fossil fuels, which reduces its environmental advantage.

There is “green hydrogen” (made using renewable energy), but:

  • It’s currently more expensive
  • Not yet widely available

So while hydrogen is clean at the point of use, the full picture is more complicated.

🚛 Where Hydrogen Is Still Strong: Hydrogen Fuel cells

That said, hydrogen is far from finished.

It’s actually showing real promise in areas like the following:

  • Heavy goods vehicles (lorries)
  • Buses
  • Industrial transport

These vehicles benefit from:

  • Quick refuelling
  • Long range

👉 Which suits hydrogen perfectly

👍 My Honest View from the Trade

After 45+ years in the motor trade, my view is simple:

👉 Hydrogen will be part of the future — but not the whole answer

For everyday drivers:

  • Electric cars are currently more practical
  • Infrastructure is already in place

But hydrogen could still play a major role, especially in commercial transport and specialist vehicles.

🧠 The Future – A Mix of Technologies: Hydrogen Fuel cells

It’s becoming clear that the future won’t rely on just one solution.

We’re likely to see a mix of the following:

  • Electric vehicles
  • Hydrogen-powered vehicles
  • Improved petrol and hybrid systems

Each will have its place depending on how the vehicle is used.

🌱 Final Thoughts

Hydrogen fuel cell cars once looked like they might take over quickly, but the reality has been more gradual.

They are:

  • Clean
  • Efficient
  • Technically impressive

But until infrastructure improves, they remain a smaller part of the market.

Still, it’s a technology worth watching.

Hydrogen Fuel cells
Hydrogen Fuel cells

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