Fuel cell vehicles promise potential

Automobile manufacturers are gearing up to launch new fuel cell vehicle models during 2015. Reports suggest that up to six fuel cell vehicles will be introduced in the coming year. Toyota looks set to be one of those firms offering its Mirai fuel cell vehicle, while Tata Motors may well introduce a model either under its own brand or that of its UK subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover.
February 18, 2015 Read time: 2 mins

Automobile manufacturers are gearing up to launch new fuel cell vehicle models during 2015. Reports suggest that up to six fuel cell vehicles will be introduced in the coming year. 2728 Toyota looks set to be one of those firms offering its Mirai fuel cell vehicle, while Tata Motors may well introduce a model either under its own brand or that of its UK subsidiary 8001 Jaguar Land Rover.

However the cost of fuel cell vehicles as well as issues over the provision of sufficient fuelling stations may well hinder their sales. Those manufacturers developing fuel cell vehicles are cautious as to how many they believe they can sell. The technology is appealing, particularly for the clean tailpipe emissions of water vapour only. But the practicalities (cost and fuelling) of fuel cell vehicles are a barrier in the short-medium term at least.
The topic is covered in greater depth in the IDTechEx report Future Technology for Hybrid and Pure Electric Cars 2015-2025.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • France’s big 2013 rise in electric & hybrid vehicle sales
    January 16, 2014
    Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles were up significantly in France in 2013 compared to 2012, reports Avere France. Electric utility vehicle sales were up 42% to 5,175 units, electric sales rose 50% year-on-year to 8,779 units, and there was a 60% rise in hybrid car sales to 46,785 units. In the latter segment, Toyota is still the leader with 27,536 vehicles sold thanks to the Yaris, Auris and Prius. In electric cars, the Zoé (Renault) is the leader with market share of around 63%, in front of the Leaf
    Read More
  • Cifa focuses on new technology for 2014
    March 11, 2014
    In 2014 Zoomlion-owned Cifa plans to manufacture a further 15 of its innovative hybrid Energya 8 and 9 plug-in truck mixer prototypes to add to its two existing models. The globally renowned concrete equipment sector firm also aims to sell the first of these new plug-in truck mixer models next year. Among the new machines and equipment resulting from a €2 million-a-year R&D investment in Cifa and Zoomlion products over the last five years, the Energya 8 and 9 models, the latter of which was launched at bau
    Read More
  • Komatsu’s fuel cell powered excavator
    September 26, 2023

    Komatsu is working on the development of a medium-sized hydraulic excavator equipped with hydrogen fuel cell system. The machine runs on hydrogen and features Komatsu-developed key components.

    Read More
  • Increasing electric vehicle sales in Central and Eastern Europe?
    June 15, 2012
    Projections suggest that electric vehicle sales in Central and Eastern Europe will hit 60,000 by 2017. The estimate comes from a report by Frost & Sullivan and suggests that Central and Eastern Europe will see growing sales of these vehicles, bringing strong market potential for manufacturers. The Central and Eastern European nations have a population of over 100 million people and a solid macroeconomic environment. The report says EV sales could top 62,000 units by 2017, increasing from approximately 245 u
    Read More

Highlighted Content