BEV vs FCV

Here is one of my favourite charts, showing sales over time of electric cars and light trucks (BEV and PHEV, excluding commercial vehicles and low-speed vehicles like golf buggies) versus hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

If we come back in ten years, it will look the same. The scale will be in trend of millions, but EVs will still be outselling H2FC vehicles by two orders of magnitude.

There is a vital role for clean hydrogen in the future net zero economy, but it is not in land transportation (outside a few possible niches). Governments unleashing massive support programmes for clean hydrogen production need to up their game in creating demand for it in sectors where it actually makes sense: fertiliser, petrochemicals, maybe steel, shipping, aviation and power system backup.

It's fine to spend a bit of money pushing the boundaries of technological use cases. But there must be a limit to how much taxpayer money is lavished on gut feelings, soundbites, photo-ops and placating industry lobby groups.

Remember: "Hydrogen decarbonizes the parts direct electrification cannot reach"