EXCLUSIVE | Fresh blow for hydrogen vehicles as average pump prices in California rise by a third to all-time high
Fuel-cell cars in world's second-largest market are now more than four times as expensive to run as home-charged electric vehicles
The average price of hydrogen fuel has surged by a third in California — the world’s second-largest fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) market — putting further pressure on a sector that has struggled to take off in spite of state subsidies in excess of $200m.
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FCVs in the state will now be more than four times as expensive to run as electric vehicles charged at home.
This means that the cost of a journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco in an FCV has increased from $85 in July to $114 today.
One retailer, Iwatani — which owns four of the 56 operational hydrogen filling stations in California — has increased its price to $24.99/kg, and says that this is expected to rise further on 1 January, with the exact amount under review.
Poor return on investment
It has arguably received a poor return on its investment, with only 10,127 FCVs on the road at the end of 2021, raising questions about how the state has been using taxpayer money.
Price comparisons
This is the current price picture for hydrogen fuel cell, gasoline and electric cars in California:
- The average hydrogen pump price of $21.28/kg equals a price per mile of $0.30.
- The Iwatani hydrogen pump price of $24,99/kg equals a price per mile of $0.35.
- An average gasoline price of $5,46/gallon in California equals a price per mile of $0.22
- An average state electricity price for end users of $0.273 cents/kWh (in August) equals a price per mile for an EV of $0.07. (This is despite California having the highest electricity prices in the contiguous US.)
- Using a Tesla supercharger during peak hours, at a cost of $0.50/kWh equals a per-mile price of $0.13.
- Hydrogen: The 2022 Toyota Mirai LE model can travel 72 miles per kilogram of H2.
- Gasoline: A midsize Volvo V90CC B6 AWD station wagon can do 25 miles per gallon.
- Electric vehicles: A Nissan Leaf with a 40 kWh battery can travel 3.7 miles per kWh.