Beijing Auto Show: Hydrogen cars may be green transportation solution

As the world shifts toward cleaner, low-carbon transportation, numerous automakers are presenting their solutions at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

While electric vehicles have been the primary focus for zero-emission car manufacturers, hydrogen vehicles are gaining popularity and attention in the automotive industry. At this year's auto show, Hyundai introduced its hydrogen fuel cell SUV, the NEXO, into China. Also, SAIC Motor Corp unveiled the world's first hydrogen fuel range-extender vehicle, the Roewe iMAX8, at the exhibition.

Emerging as an alternative to both the electric and combustion engine vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars are widely considered an avenue towards universal green motoring. Powered through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, the only tailpipe emission they produce is water. Hydrogen-powered cars are quiet, very energy-efficient, produce no emissions and have an equivalent range and performance to gasoline counterparts.

However, due to factors such as high costs, safety concerns and incomplete hydrogenation infrastructure, it is difficult for hydrogen-powered vehicles to break through the siege. Japan, as one of the pioneers in hydrogen development, has been trying for years but has failed to achieve widespread commercialization in the field.

Despite this, it is premature to discount the potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The number of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles on the world's roads increased by 40 percent in 2022, compared to 2021, totaling more than 72,000 vehicles, according to figures in the International Energy Agency's new Global EV Outlook 2023 report. Also, an industry report by S&P Global projects that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles could reach 13 million by 2030, with more than 10,000 refueling stations globally.

In recent years, China has gradually increased policy support for the hydrogen-powered vehicle industry. China Hydrogen Alliance predicts that the number of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in China is expected to exceed 3 million by 2050, and the number of hydrogen refueling stations is expected to reach 10,000.

Just two weeks ago, China conducted its first long-distance cross-region transport test of two hydrogen-powered vehicles, successfully completing a 1,500-kilometer test from Beijing to Shanghai.

In order to facilitate long-distance and cross-region transportation powered by hydrogen energy, China has accelerated the layout of its hydrogen refueling station network in recent years. So far, there are a total of 1,152 hydrogen refueling stations in the world, of which 428 have been built in China, ranking it first in the world, and covering 30 domestic provinces and cities.

The improving refueling station network has provided important support for the development of hydrogen vehicles in China.

Zhou Feikun, a member of the Guangzhou Hydrogen Energy Expert Committee, mentioned in a previous interview that in the next stage, as hydrogen refueling stations become more widespread, large- and medium-sized passenger vehicles will increasingly adopt hydrogen as their primary energy source. He believes that hydrogen powered vehicles have promising prospects, although key technologies still need to be addressed.