Verdict: False
This is one of those claims that sounds reasonable in theory but has been completely disproven by reality.
This is one of those claims that sounds reasonable in theory but has been completely disproven by reality. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been around since the 1960s and have had decades to gain traction -- and they haven't. As of 2022, only about 70,200 hydrogen cars had been sold worldwide compared to over 26 million plug-in electric vehicles. In the US in 2023, just 3,143 hydrogen cars were sold versus 380,000 battery EVs.
The infrastructure tells an even bleaker story. The entire United States has only 53 public hydrogen refueling stations, 52 of which are in California, compared to over 65,000 EV charging stations nationwide. By 2020, all but three automakers had abandoned plans to manufacture hydrogen passenger cars. Toyota Mirai sales fell to just 1,702 units globally through November 2024. Only two hydrogen car models are even available to buy: the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo.
Hydrogen may have a future in heavy-duty trucking, shipping, or industrial use where batteries are impractical, but for passenger vehicles, the market has spoken decisively. EVs won.
We match you to the right electric vehicle for how you actually drive, with no dealer pitch.
Got a dealer quote? Run it through the free Deal-Checker.