How long does a hydrogen tank last in a car?
A hydrogen tank in a modern fuel-cell vehicle typically yields about 300-400 miles (480-640 kilometers) of range per fill, with around 5–6 kilograms of hydrogen stored at about 700 bar. Refueling takes roughly 3–5 minutes.
What determines the range per hydrogen fill
The distance you can travel on a full hydrogen tank depends on several factors, including how efficiently the vehicle uses hydrogen and the conditions you drive in. The following elements are the main drivers of range.
- Tank size and pressure: Most passenger fuel-cell vehicles carry multiple high-pressure tanks totaling roughly 5–6 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar.
- Vehicle efficiency: How well the fuel cell system converts hydrogen into electricity, plus drivetrain losses, determine miles-per-kilogram performance.
- Driving conditions: Highway speeds tend to maximize range, while city driving with frequent stops can reduce efficiency.
- Weather and climate control: Cold weather and the use of air conditioning or cabin heating can lower efficiency and thus reduce range.
- Vehicle load and payload: Extra weight from passengers or cargo can decrease the miles-per-kg figure.
In practice, these factors combine to produce a real-world range that can vary notably from the published numbers. A typical user in moderate conditions might see ranges in the lower to mid-300s miles per tank.
Tanks, capacity, and how they’re stored
Hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks, usually in multiple modules for safety and space efficiency. The total capacity for most modern passenger FCEVs sits around 5–6 kilograms of hydrogen, compressed at about 700 bar, which enables practical driving ranges without frequent stops for refueling.
- Typical hydrogen storage: about 5–6 kg total in a vehicle with several composite tanks.
- Pressure: tanks are pressurized to around 700 bar (about 10,000 psi) to maximize energy density in a small vehicle footprint.
- Tank configuration: most cars use two to four tanks arranged to protect the fuel system and optimize cabin space.
- Impact on range: the higher the usable kilograms of hydrogen, the longer the potential range, assuming similar efficiency.
These design choices are meant to balance safety, weight, and efficiency while providing a practical driving range for everyday use.
Real-world ranges by model
Model-by-model ranges reflect both the vehicle design and EPA/official testing results. The two main consumer-facing fuel-cell offerings in recent years have been Toyota’s Mirai and Hyundai’s NEXO, with ranges that illustrate the typical 300–400 mile per-fill window under normal conditions.
- Toyota Mirai: commonly cited in the roughly 350–400 mile per-tank range range, depending on model year and driving conditions.
- Hyundai NEXO: typically around 380 miles per full hydrogen fill, with real-world variability based on driving style and climate control usage.
Note: Clarity on exact EPA-rated figures can vary by model year and market. In real-world use, aggressive driving, cold weather, or heavy use of climate controls can trim these numbers modestly.
Refueling, time to fill, and infrastructure
For most owners, the experience of refueling a hydrogen tank mirrors conventional gasoline refills in terms of downtime, with the advantage that a full tank is reached in roughly the same 3–5 minute timeframe. However, infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations remains much less widespread than gasoline stations, affecting practical reach in some regions.
Refueling time
Most hydrogen-powered cars can be refilled to a full tank in about 3–5 minutes, depending on station equipment and ambient conditions.
Infrastructure and regional availability
Hydrogen refueling networks are growing but remain uneven by region. Urban pockets in parts of North America and Europe have better coverage, while many rural areas and several countries still have limited options. Availability directly impacts how often drivers can top up and, by extension, effective range on longer trips.
What to expect over the vehicle life
As with any high-pressure storage system, tank capacity can gradually degrade over many fill cycles, though modern tanks are designed for long lifespans with robust safety margins. Manufacturers publish expected service life and inspection intervals, typically tied to regulatory standards and warranty terms.
Overall, a hydrogen tank in a passenger fuel-cell car is designed to provide roughly 300–400 miles of range per fill under typical driving conditions, using around 5–6 kilograms of hydrogen stored at 700 bar. Real-world results vary with model, conditions, and driving habits, and the broader hydrogen-refueling network continues to evolve to support broader adoption.
Summary
In today’s market, a hydrogen tank in a passenger fuel-cell vehicle generally lasts around 300–400 miles per fill, with about 5–6 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar. Real-world range depends on model design, driving style, weather, and climate control use. Refueling is quick, typically 3–5 minutes, but the ubiquity of hydrogen stations remains a limiting factor in many regions. As infrastructure expands and new models arrive, the practical experience of owning and using a hydrogen-powered car should become more consistent.
How expensive is it to refill a hydrogen car?
Car in the United States by $40,000. Plus they'll give you $15,000 fuel card so it's $55,000 discount off the normal price which is incredible. There's a reason for that.
How many miles per gallon does a hydrogen fuel car get?
Hydrogen cars are rated in miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), with models like the Toyota Mirai achieving around 66–74 MPGe combined. This is based on the energy content of the hydrogen, as it's not measured in gallons; for example, one kilogram of hydrogen has roughly the same energy as one gallon of gasoline, with a hydrogen car using about 1 kg to travel approximately 60 miles.
- MPGe rating: The EPA uses "miles per gallon equivalent" (MPGe) to compare the efficiency of alternative fuels like hydrogen to gasoline.
- Toyota Mirai efficiency: The Toyota Mirai has an estimated combined MPGe of approximately 66–74.
- Hydrogen vs. gasoline: One kilogram of hydrogen is roughly equivalent to one gallon of gasoline in energy content.
- Hydrogen vs. gasoline (mileage): A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) can travel about 60 miles per kilogram of hydrogen, while the average gasoline car gets about 30 miles per gallon.
What is the biggest problem with hydrogen cars?
The biggest problems with hydrogen cars are cost, infrastructure, and production efficiency. The cost of producing green hydrogen is high, and it is currently more expensive to operate than electric vehicles. There is also a severe lack of hydrogen refueling stations, making them impractical for most drivers. Furthermore, most of the hydrogen currently produced is made from fossil fuels (gray hydrogen), which is polluting.
Cost and efficiency
- Expensive fuel: Hydrogen fuel is significantly more expensive to produce and purchase than electricity for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).
- Inefficient production: The process of creating hydrogen, especially "green" hydrogen through electrolysis, is energy-intensive, resulting in a lower overall energy efficiency compared to charging a BEV directly.
- Expensive cars: The cars themselves are expensive to buy due to high production costs and limited manufacturing volume.
Infrastructure
- Lack of refueling stations: There is a massive shortage of hydrogen fueling stations. For example, there were only about 45 in the US as of 2021, compared to thousands of gas stations and charging points for BEVs.
- High cost to build stations: Building a single hydrogen refueling station can cost millions of dollars, making it a difficult investment for companies.
Production and safety
- Polluting production: Most hydrogen today is "gray" hydrogen, produced using fossil fuels, which releases carbon emissions. Producing it cleanly (green hydrogen) is much more expensive.
- Handling and storage issues: Hydrogen is a gas that must be stored under high pressure or at extremely low temperatures, which requires complex and bulky tanks.
- Safety concerns: Storing and handling high-pressure hydrogen gas poses safety risks, including the potential for leaks, explosions, and embrittlement of some metals.
How often do you have to fuel a hydrogen car?
Fuel cell electric cars typically go 300 miles or more on a full tank of hydrogen, with the ability to refuel in 3 to 5 minutes. Hydrogen fueling is no more complicated or time-consuming than filling a standard car with gas.
