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Hydrogen Development Trends Among Global Auto Manufacturers

2023-10-27

Introduction

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.

I. Sales Volume Demonstrates Difficulties in the Commercialization of Hydrogen Vehicles

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.

Table 1. Types of hydrogen-powered vehicles
Vehicle type	Details
Hydrogen passenger cars	Light vehicles (passenger vehicles) with a maximum weight of less than 3.5 tons and up to 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat. e.g.: Toyota Mirai, Hyundai NEXO, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, etc.
Hydrogen buses	Hydrogen buses that can be equipped with more than 8 passenger seats (in addition to the driver’s seat).
Light hydrogen trucks	Cargo transportation vehicles with a maximum weight of less than 3.5 tons. e.g.: Renault Kangoo & Master, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter & Caddy, Ford Transit, etc.
Medium hydrogen trucks	Trucks: More than 3.5 tons but no more than 12 tons. Trailer/semi-trailer More than 3.5 tons but no more than 10 tons.
Heavy hydrogen trucks	Trucks: More than 12 tons. Trailer/semi-trailer More than 10 tons.

(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.

Table 2. Global sales of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
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.

II. Hydrogen Development of Top Auto Manufacturers

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.

III. Future Development Trends

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:

Technological breakthrough and innovation: Auto manufacturers focus on increasing the performance and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell technologies including increasing their functions, expanding into non-automotive sectors, and seeking partnerships. By leveraging technological breakthrough and innovation, they are accelerating improvements in range, charging time, and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen vehicles.
Diverse model development: In addition to launching passenger vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, auto manufacturers have also developed commercial vehicles such as trucks to expand the use of hydrogen vehicles to other sectors and provide more market alternatives for decarbonization.
Cross-border collaboration and joint ventures: Most hydrogen technology development is conducted through cross-border collaboration and joint ventures, facilitating resource sharing, accelerating R&D and technological development in hydrogen energy, and expanding related markets.
Building infrastructure: Hydrogen infrastructure must be created to expand the use of hydrogen vehicles. Major auto manufacturers have actively participated in the construction of infrastructure in different regions including the establishment of hydrogen supply stations and development of power supply devices with hydrogen fuel cells to increase the convenience in resupplying hydrogen vehicles.

Source： Metal Industries Research & Development Centre Metal Industry Intelligence