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

  • China plans to boost use of electric vehicles
    December 6, 2012
    The authorities in China are keen for increased use of electric vehicles as part of a plan to reduce pollution in major cities, and as part of a wider programme aimed at lowering the environmental impact from mobility. Fuel costs are comparatively high in China, further encouraging drivers to switch to electric vehicles, at least for urban trips. And electric-assist bicycles as well as scooters are already popular in Chinese cities, highlighting the strong potential market for electric cars in the country.
    Read More
  • JCB’s clean excavator innovation
    July 2, 2020
    JCB has unveiled its clean excavator innovation.
    Read More
  • Electric vehicle strategy for China
    April 24, 2012
    New vehicle tax regulations have been passed in China, which are intended to boost the market for electric vehicles (EVs). A recent China State Council executive meeting passed the second draft regulations of China's Vehicle and Vessel Tax Law, a move designed to support the market for new energy vehicles.
    Read More
  • Student’s graphene battery could cut EV charging times
    December 8, 2016
    Josh de Wit, a second-year mechanical engineering student from the University of Sussex, has won the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award for 2016 with a concept that could dramatically reduce charging times for electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce the weight of their batteries. Josh’s design harnesses the remarkable qualities of graphene, a form of pure carbon in sheets that are just one atom thick. A car battery made with stacked graphene, he says, would take far less time to charge, store more energy
    Read More

Highlighted Content