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2023-10-27
The use of hydrogen as fuel can help industries attain decarbonization targets. Leading global auto manufacturers therefore regard hydrogen as a critical development strategy and are accelerating development for commercial applications. However, the commercialization of hydrogen vehicles is facing numerous challenges, such as insufficient infrastructure, high cost, and deficiencies in the hydrogen supply chain. These factors affect the sales and expansion of hydrogen vehicles in the market. Therefore, the automotive industry will need continuous development of hydrogen power systems to attain sustainable development and net-zero emission targets.
Of the only 51,000 hydrogen vehicles worldwide, a majority (90%) is concentrated in four countries: Korea, United States, China, and Japan. Hydrogen power systems are mostly used in passenger vehicles and are gradually being adopted for commercial vehicles. On the commercial vehicle market, pure electric systems have become mainstream due to low maintenance costs. However, many auto manufacturers are actively promoting hydrogen technologies and collaborating on R&D applications in order to accelerate technological developments and market expansion.
Vehicle type | Details |
---|---|
Hydrogen passenger cars |
|
Hydrogen buses |
|
Light hydrogen trucks |
|
Medium hydrogen trucks |
|
Heavy hydrogen trucks |
|
(Source: “Deployment of Fuel Cell Vehicles and Hydrogen Refueling Station Infrastructure: A Global Overview and Perspectives”, Energies 2022, 15, 4975. / Compiled by MIRDC (May 2023))
According to statistics on hydrogen passenger vehicles in mass production compiled by the Korean firm SNE Research, the global number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles reached 20,690 in 2022 with an annual growth rate of 18.4%. The top model is the Hyundai NEXO (11,000 units) manufactured in Korea, which is followed the Toyota MIRAI (3,691 units) manufactured in Japan.
Rank | Manufacturer | Model | 2021 Sales volume (units) |
2022 Sales volume (units) |
Annual growth rate (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hyundai, Korea | NEXO | 9,227 | 11,179 | 21.2% |
2 | Toyota, Japan | MIAI | 5,935 | 3,691 | -37.8% |
3 | Honda, Japan | CLARITY | 294 | 209 | -28.9% |
4 | Maxus, China | EUNIQ7 | 9 | 204 | >20-fold |
Other | 2,009 | 5,407 | 169.1% | ||
Total | 17,474 | 20,690 | 18.4% |
(Source: “Global FCEV Market with 18.4% YoY Growth from January to December 2022”, SNE Research (February 2023) / compiled by MIRDC (May 2023))
The use of hydrogen as fuel for power systems has become a critical development and expansion strategy for the global commercial vehicle market. However, auto manufacturers pay closer attention to the cost of the use of vehicles, which include factors such as the recharging networks, hydrogen supply chain, green electricity, or the supply and pricing of renewable hydrogen. Therefore, the high-efficiency diesel power system currently used for commercial vehicles remains an alternative option in the transition to net zero emissions.
The top two Japanese auto manufacturers: Toyota and Honda are early advocates of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Toyota has proposed three major strategies for hydrogen fuel cell technologies: improve fuel cell functions, expand into non-automotive sectors, and seek partnerships. Toyota launched its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Mirai in 2014 and unveiled the second edition in 2020. Toyota and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory jointly developed a megawatt-scale hydrogen fuel cell system in 2022.
Hydrogen is also Honda’s key energy strategy. Although Honda suspended the mass production of Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2021, it continues to develop hydrogen fuel cell systems for commercial vehicles, ships, aerospace applications, and power devices. Honda has also made significant developments through major partnerships. They collaborated with Isuzu to develop heavy-duty electric trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells, partnered with GM to work on next-generation hydrogen fuel cell systems, and joined forces with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop renewable energy systems for space.
Since 2018, the Korean company Hyundai has launched mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle NEXO, hydrogen buses like Elec City, and hydrogen trucks such as Xcient. In 2021, Hyundai also proposed a vision for the widespread adoption of hydrogen in transportation and other industries by 2040. The company works with partners in different countries to create hydrogen fuel cell system supply and develop hydrogen infrastructure.
European auto manufacturers BMW, Renault, and Stellantis are also activele developing hydrogen technology. BMW started by focusing on hydrogen fuel cell engine technologies and worked with Toyota to develop hydrogen fuel cell systems. Renault and Stellantis developed light commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells to respond to the challenges of climate change and carbon neutrality.
Global net zero emission policies have made hydrogen energy a key development for attaining decarbonization. Therefore, auto manufacturers are actively expanding the commercial applications of hydrogen vehicles through the following four development trends:
Source: Metal Industries Research & Development Centre Metal Industry Intelligence
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