The segment of hydrogen fuel cell cars in the United States, particularly in California where the series-produced models are available, experienced a significant decline in sales during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Data from the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership indicated that only 201 new hydrogen fuel cell cars (known as FCV or FCEV) were sold in the U.S. in Q4, which is a 72% decrease from the previous year. This decline in sales prevented the chance of setting a new annual sales record in 2023.
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Hydrogen Fuel Cell cars are zero-emission
Fueled by hydrogen, fuel cell cars behave like series-hybrids, generating electricity for the electric motor. This approach differs from battery electric vehicles, which run solely on batteries, in achieving zero-emission driving.
This marked the worst fourth quarter in hydrogen car sales since 2015. The sale of new vehicles has been further challenged by the rising cost of hydrogen fuel, particularly affecting Toyota Mirai buyers.
Data on FCV sales from the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership is sourced from Baum and Associates and is reflective of sales to both retail and fleet customers.
The FCV segment continues to be dominated by one model: the Toyota Mirai, which saw 133 sales during the quarter (an 80% decrease year-over-year), while the Hyundai Nexo saw 68 units (an 8% increase year-over-year). Other models, including the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, were discontinued a few years ago.
Hydrogen car sales in Q4’2023 (YOY change):
Hydrogen sales reported by the manufacturers in Q4’2023 (YOY change):
- Toyota Mirai: 133 (down 80%)
- Hyundai Nexo: 68 (up 8%)
In 2023, a total of 2,968 new hydrogen cars were sold, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. This falls short of the 2022 FCEV sales of over 2,707, which was a 19% decrease year-over-year.
Hydrogen car sales in Q1-Q4’2023 (YOY change):
Hydrogen sales reported by the manufacturers in Q1-Q4’2023 (YOY change):
- Toyota Mirai: 2,737 (up 31%)
- Hyundai Nexo: 241 (down 41%)
Although a small positive result, 2023 failed to surpass 3,000 units, falling short of the all-time record of 3,341 sales set in 2021. Meanwhile, sales of battery electric cars in the U.S. in 2023 are estimated at 1.1 million units, marking a 48% increase year-over-year.
The overall cumulative sales of FCVs exceeded 17,940 by the end of the quarter (exempting vehicles removed from use), marking a 20% increase from the previous year. This total includes 14,105 Toyota Mirai vehicles, accounting for almost 79% of all FCVs.
At this rate, it is expected that the 25,000th hydrogen fuel cell car will not be sold until late 2025.
As of January 10, 2024, the number of open retail hydrogen stations in California remained at 55 (unchanged from October):
- Open – Retail: 55
- Open – Legacy Retail: 0
- Currently Unavailable: 11
- In Construction: 4
- In Permitting: 18
- Proposed: 4
- On hold: 5
- Total (Light Duty): 97
Additionally, the number of sites under construction, in permitting, or proposed has remained stagnant compared to previous reports. You can view the full list of hydrogen infrastructure here.
A quick calculation shows that there are 326 cars per single station (cumulative sales divided by the number of open retail stations), although this number is lower due to early vehicles that have been removed from service.