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How big is the battery in a hydrogen fuel cell car?

Hydrogen fuel cell cars typically have a much smaller battery compared to traditional electric vehicles. The battery in a hydrogen fuel cell car is primarily used for supplementary power and to store regenerative braking energy, rather than as the main power source for the vehicle.


Understanding the Role of the Battery in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars


Hydrogen fuel cell cars use a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen, which then powers the electric motor and drives the wheels. The battery in these vehicles serves a supporting role, providing additional power when needed and storing energy recovered during braking.



  • The fuel cell is the primary power source, generating electricity from hydrogen to drive the electric motor.

  • The battery is used to supplement the fuel cell, providing extra power during acceleration or high-demand situations.

  • The battery also stores energy recovered through regenerative braking, improving the overall efficiency of the vehicle.


The relatively small size of the battery in hydrogen fuel cell cars is a key difference compared to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which rely on a large battery pack as their primary power source.


Typical Battery Sizes in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars


The battery size in hydrogen fuel cell cars is generally much smaller than the battery packs found in BEVs. Typical battery sizes for hydrogen fuel cell cars range from around 1.5 kWh to 3 kWh.p>


  • The Toyota Mirai, a popular hydrogen fuel cell car, has a battery capacity of around 1.2 kWh.

  • The Hyundai Nexo, another leading hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, has a battery capacity of approximately 1.56 kWh.

  • In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range has a battery pack of around 75 kWh, significantly larger than the batteries in hydrogen fuel cell cars.li>

The smaller battery size in hydrogen fuel cell cars is possible because the fuel cell is the primary power source, and the battery is used for supplementary power and energy recovery, rather than as the main propulsion system.

How big is the Toyota Mirai battery?


The electric traction motor delivers 113 kilowatts (152 hp; 154 PS) and 335 N⋅m (247 lbf⋅ft) of torque. The Mirai has a 245V (1.6 kWh) sealed nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) traction rechargeable battery pack, similar to the one used in the Camry hybrid.



What is the capacity of hydrogen car battery?


The advantages of the hydrogen-powered car
For example, Renault Master Van H2-TECH is equipped with a 33 kWh battery coupled with an onboard hydrogen storage capacity equivalent to 30 kWh. Its range therefore increases from 230 kilometers to 400 kilometers (WLTC* cycle).



How many miles per gallon does a hydrogen car get?


Typically, a fuel cell system is twice as efficient as a gasoline system. Most of the fuel cell vehicles coming to market in the next few years will be able to deliver close to 70 miles per kilogram of fuel. That's the equivalent of 70 miles per gallon.



How many MPG does a hydrogen car get?


1) What is the mileage like? First, you need to know that hydrogen fuel isn't measured by gallons – it's measured by kilograms. A full tank for a Mirai is approximately five kilograms, and on a full tank, it gets about 66 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) of hydrogen gas. 2) How much does it cost to fill up?



How long does a hydrogen fuel cell battery last?


approximately 150,000-200,000 miles
For example, many automakers of passenger cars aim for a fuel cell stack lifespan of at least 5,000 hours or approximately 150,000-200,000 miles. In the heavy-duty category, many bus fuel cell stacks (power plant) have reached lifetimes of 20,000 hours and more, with a goal of 30,000 hours by 2030.



What is the biggest problem with hydrogen cars?


Difficult to transport, difficult to handle, and is not available at home. Poor conversion efficiency (see below chart) within the vehicle leading to energy losses and high fuel costs. Higher lifetime costs of FCEVs, almost exclusively due to the higher fuel cost.



Does Toyota Mirai run on water?


2024 Toyota Mirai Review
The result is a car that drives like most EVs and emits only water. But it requires hydrogen to operate.



Do hydrogen cars have large batteries?


This “buffer” battery is significantly smaller than the battery of an all-electric car – meaning it's also lighter. It's also being constantly recharged by the fuel cell. Like other e-cars (➜ Read also: All about charging e-cars), hydrogen vehicles can also recover or “recuperate” braking energy.



Why are hydrogen cars not the future?


Why are hydrogen cars not the future? Many drawbacks, such as fewer refueling stations, expensive maintenance, and inefficient fuel cells, can lead you to determine that hydrogen cars will not take over the current market of EVs in the future.



Why hydrogen cars are not the future?


Why are hydrogen cars not the future? Many drawbacks, such as fewer refueling stations, expensive maintenance, and inefficient fuel cells, can lead you to determine that hydrogen cars will not take over the current market of EVs in the future.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.