Fueling a Hydrogen Car

The most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen is among the cleanest and greenest fuels for powering cars – called fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

FCEVs are charged using compressed hydrogen gas. The fuel cell doesn’t burn the gas, but instead draws hydrogen from an onboard tank and fuses it chemically with oxygen to make water. This process releases electricity that will continue to power the car’s electric motor as long as there is hydrogen in the tank. The only waste produced is pure water.

To make up for the lack of conveniently available hydrogen refueling stations, several FCEV manufacturers currently include three years of free hydrogen fuel with a vehicle – valued at around $15,000. Much like refueling with gas, it takes only about three to five minutes to refill a FCEV tank. In California, more than 35 hydrogen refueling stations are currently available, with many additional stations in development.

Watch this short video to see how simple it is to fuel a hydrogen vehicle:

The California Fuel Cell Partnership provides an easy to use map to find refueling stations near you.

Types of Hydrogen

Most hydrogen stations have two different refueling nozzles, one providing 35 megapascal (MPa) fuel and another providing 70 MPa fuel. The 70 MPa fuel is higher pressure, meaning the same tank volume can deliver greater vehicle range. Check your vehicle manufacturer requirements to determine the proper pressure to use.