Amid The Onslaught Of Electric Vehicles, These Two Hydrogen Cars Are Still Selling

Toyota Mirai. (Doc. Global Toyota)

JAKARTA - Consumer demand for electric vehicles is increasing, but vehicles with other alternative energy such as fuel-cell hydrogen (FCV or FCEV) also attract consumer interest or experience an increase in the second quarter of 2023 in the US.

Data from Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership shows that sales of hydrogen-powered vehicles increased rapidly during the period April to June 2023 in the US. Total sold 1,076 units, an increase of 34 percent compared to the previous year. This is the third time the FCV segment recorded sales of more than 1,000 units in one quarter, with Toyota Mirai as the main contributor to sales of 1,054 units.

Although FCV sales decreased 2 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year, sales figures of 1,800 units remained impressive. Toyota Mirai managed to record an increase in sales of 27 percent, while Hyundai Nexo experienced a 61 percent decline.

Currently, the FCV segment is still limited, with Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo becoming the main representatives. Sales of FCV are mostly concentrated in California, the US, and limited infrastructure, causing this segment to not get much attention. However, in terms of efficiency and environmentally friendly, hydrogen vehicles are not inferior to electric vehicles, because they only emit water vapor as a result of burning without harmful emissions.

Another advantage is the efficiency in the use of fuel, where FCV has higher energy conversion efficiency than conventional internal combustion engines. The charging of hydrogen-fueled cars is also faster, it only takes a few minutes to reach full power.

Although the FCV segment has not yet fully rivaled the popularity of electric vehicles, this development shows that alternative energy such as hydrogen still attracts attention and has great potential for reducing emissions and supporting environmentally friendly mobility.