Can you buy a hydrogen car in France?

Non-CO2 emitting technology like electric vehicles, but still anecdotal, hydrogen cars currently have a limited availability in France.

Hydrogen cars are not really a widespread reality in France. Two recent data points caught our attention. On the one hand, France only registered 24 hydrogen car registrations in January and February 2023. That’s negligible compared to 34,247 electric cars or even 992 E85 vehicles. On the other hand, the Argus study on purchase intentions showed only 7% for hydrogen cars. A huge gap!

What hydrogen cars are available?

Focusing on passenger cars and excluding utility vehicles, only two models are available. The market is therefore very limited, with the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai.

The Hyundai Nexo is a family SUV, comparable to a Tucson in hybrids and internal combustion engine versions. Replacing the iX35 FCEV in 2018, this hydrogen vehicle is modern and features numerous equipment. Its electric motor develops 163 horsepower, sufficient for daily commuting, paired with a 135 kW (184 hp) fuel cell. This uses hydrogen stored in two tanks totaling 6.33 kg (or 156.6 liters) at 700 bar pressure. With a consumption of 0.95 kg/100 km, the Hyundai Nexo’s range is 666 km on a full tank. The base price is €80,500. That’s considerably more than an electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 (starting at €51,300) or the large hybrid plug-in Santa Fe (from €57,250).

The Toyota Mirai is newer, dating from 2021, also of a second generation after the 2015 model. Much sleeker than its predecessor, it is a large 5-seater sedan measuring 5 meters long. With 182 horsepower, it inherits a 128 kW (172 hp) fuel cell, drawing from three hydrogen tanks. With 5.6 kg onboard, the Japanese model can travel approximately 650 km according to the WLTP cycle. Despite its extensive equipment, similar to the Nexo, this model is not prohibitively priced. Starting at €72,250, excluding incentives, the Toyota Mirai hydrogen car is not that expensive compared to a high-spec large sedan.

Taxis dominate, despite the lack of refueling stations

As mentioned, only 23 units were sold early in 2023. Last year, only 193 hydrogen cars joined the roads in France, compared to 61 in 2021. In theory, with the two Hyundai and Toyota models, it’s possible to purchase a hydrogen car.

But ultimately, it appears that the only recorded vehicles are taxis. Because the only Hype company in the Île-de-France region supplies this zero-emission transport solution that only emits water and oxygen. Indeed, it’s difficult for private individuals to use hydrogen daily, with only 24 stations in France, including 6 in Île-de-France.

What future hydrogen car models?

Perhaps the future will be brighter for hydrogen cars. The BMW iX5 is developing a series version expected in 2025, and Honda is also working on a CR-V (not initially in Europe).

As for the French Hopium Machina Vision, the future remains uncertain, while the NAMX HUV aims for a release by 2025. Lastly, Renault is considering hydrogen in an as-yet-unknown form, through its Scénic Vision H2-Tech concept or its Alpine Alpenglow utilizing the gas in an internal combustion engine.

Read also: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 400 hydrogen vehicles funded by the region