Toyota is paying people to buy the Mirai in hopes of hydrogen’s success.

If you act quickly, you may be eligible for a $40,000 discount on the 2023 Toyota Mirai, a fuel-cell vehicle with a retail price of $52,000. In addition to the discount, Toyota is offering $15,000 worth of free hydrogen over six years and a 0% interest loan, effectively putting $3,000 in your pocket as an incentive to take the car off their hands.

However, the main challenge lies in finding available hydrogen to power the vehicle. This issue is exacerbated by Shell’s recent decision to close its hydrogen filling stations in California, impacting over 10% of the state’s hydrogen infrastructure. California remains the most viable location for fuel cell vehicles, but access to operational filling stations is crucial for their practicality.

On a contrasting note, Honda has transformed its popular CR-V into a plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicle hybrid. The CR-V features a 17.7 kWh battery providing 29 miles of electric range, with additional power coming from a hydrogen fuel cell. Despite offering a total range of 270 miles, the practicality of these vehicles is limited compared to electric crossovers due to hydrogen infrastructure constraints.

While hydrogen shows promise for various industrial applications, its adoption in passenger vehicles faces hurdles. The production and distribution of hydrogen remain inconsistent, limiting the viability of hydrogen-powered cars for long-distance travel. Additionally, the high cost of fuel cells and the reliance on green hydrogen for emission reduction present challenges for widespread adoption.

Considering the challenges faced by fuel-cell vehicles, the continued optimism of automakers like Toyota and Honda towards hydrogen technology raises questions. Potential reasons for this optimism range from marketing strategies to a genuine belief in the advantages of fuel cells over batteries. The complexity and mechanical nature of fuel cells and the ability to maintain design and manufacturing in-house may contribute to automakers’ enthusiasm for this technology.

Ultimately, the future of fuel-cell vehicles hinges on the success of hydrogen startups and the development of a viable infrastructure to support widespread adoption. While concerns remain about the timeline for mass market acceptance, the potential for a future where fuel-cell vehicles play a significant role in transportation is not off the table, though it may not be imminent.