Current status of automotive fuel cells for sustainable transport

TLDR

Automotive proton‑exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have reached technological readiness, with major manufacturers leasing and selling vehicles that rival internal combustion engines and often outperform battery electric vehicles, yet challenges remain in high‑current performance, durability, cost, and hydrogen infrastructure. The study aims to assess the current status of automotive PEMFCs, identify misconceptions about platinum usage, and highlight remaining hurdles to broader acceptance. The authors review industry reports and literature to discuss these issues. Current PEMFCs claim vehicle speed, acceleration, refueling time, driving range, and durability that rival internal combustion engines and in most cases outperform battery electric vehicles.

Abstract

Automotive proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have finally reached a state of technological readiness where several major automotive companies are commercially leasing and selling fuel cell electric vehicles, including Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai. These now claim vehicle speed and acceleration, refueling time, driving range, and durability that rival conventional internal combustion engines and in most cases outperform battery electric vehicles. The residual challenges and areas of improvement which remain for PEMFCs are performance at high current density, durability, and cost. These are expected to be resolved over the coming decade while hydrogen infrastructure needs to become widely available. Here, we briefly discuss the status of automotive PEMFCs, misconceptions about the barriers that platinum usage creates, and the remaining hurdles for the technology to become broadly accepted and implemented.