How many hydrogen fuel stations are there in the UK?
There are a small number of hydrogen (H2) fuel stations in the UK, producing and distributing pressurised hydrogen gas. These innovative stations are able to produce green hydrogen on site, made from renewable energy. The UK currently has 16 stations. Average Cost of Hydrogen Fuel in the UK Hydrogen in the UK is priced per kilogram (kg) similar to how petrol is sold per litre. As of May 2025: The average cost per kg of hydrogen at public refuelling stations is £10 to £15. Most stations charge around £13/kg, though this can vary by location and supplier.Blue hydrogen —produced from natural gas paired with carbon capture and storage — costs between US$5 to 7 per kg in the US, and $7 to 11 in Europe and Australia. Green hydrogen produced through electrolysis using renewable power costs US$10-15 per kg , depending on availability.Average Cost of Hydrogen Fuel in the UK The average cost per kg of hydrogen at public refuelling stations is £10 to £15. Most stations charge around £13/kg, though this can vary by location and supplier.
How much does hydrogen fuel stations charge UK?
The average cost per kg of hydrogen at public refuelling stations is £10 to £15. Most stations charge around £13/kg, though this can vary by location and supplier. While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer impressive efficiency and zero emissions, their per-mile fueling costs in 2025 remain three to four-and-a-half times higher than those of both gasoline and hybrid vehicles.Fueling is Easy and Fast Fuel cell electric cars typically go 300 miles or more on a full tank of hydrogen, with the ability to refuel in 3 to 5 minutes. Hydrogen fueling is no more complicated or time-consuming than filling a standard car with gas.Another barrier to transitioning is the prohibitive cost of hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs). Hydrogen fuel cell and storage technology can account for 80% of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) costs. In the past, hydrogen innovations were few and far between due to a lack of funding and public interest.Hydrogen produced using clean energy costs four times as much as hydrogen made from natural gas, according to BNEF. And it’s hard to build the infrastructure to supply hydrogen—not just plants to make it but pipelines to move it—when the demand may not materialize for years.
Is hydrogen cheaper than EV?
Hydrogen vehicles lack the required infrastructure or refueling stations. Hydrogen cars are more expensive than electric cars and have over 1000+ refueling stations globally as of 2023. When there’s fuel enough to run them, hydrogen-powered cars can go farther and refuel much faster than EVs of the same size. Hydrogen fuel cell cars aren’t as clean or efficient as battery EVs, however, and developing a reliable, affordable and widespread fueling infrastructure is a big problem right now.David Cebon, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Cambridge, said: “If you use green hydrogen it takes about three times more electricity to make the hydrogen to power a car than it does just to charge a battery. That could improve slightly but not enough to challenge batteries.Meanwhile, insolvencies are hitting companies that bet on a demand which simply doesn’t exist yet. Green hydrogen requires: Constant renewable power (but solar = 0 W at night, and wind = volatile). Electrolyzers running 7,000–8,000 hours per year to be economical.
How far will 1kg of hydrogen take a car?
A fuel cell car can travel about 100 kilometers on one kilogram of hydrogen. This makes the cost per kilometer of a hydrogen car currently about the same as for combustion vehicles. The average home may need around 25,000 liters of hydrogen for 16 hours of energy. Work continues to improve hydrogen storage efficiency. Adding metal hydrides is pricey but can substantially expand the homeowner’s available hydrogen supply.One kg of hydrogen contains about the same energy as a gallon of gasoline. Today a fuel-cell electric vehicle with 1 kg of hydrogen can drive approximately 60 miles, compared to conventional vehicles, which get about 25 miles on a gallon of gasoline.Hydrogen vehicles typically have tanks that can hold 5 to 8 kg of high-pressure compressed hydrogen. With the average consumption rates mentioned earlier, this would result in a range of approximately 500 to 800 kilometers per full tank.Most hydrogen cars today offer a driving range of between 300 and 400 miles on a full tank. Because the refueling process takes only a few minutes, it offers a fast and convenient experience similar to filling up a gasoline vehicle.
Why is hydrogen no longer the fuel of the future?
It presents safety concerns since it is highly explosive, and it is inefficient compared to direct use of electricity. Since relatively small amounts of low-carbon hydrogen are available, climate benefits can be maximized by using it in harder-to-decarbonize applications. Lack of refueling infrastructure. High cost of hydrogen production. Limited vehicle market with high costs. Energy efficiency concerns.The key problem for hydrogen cars is not the fuel cell but actually getting the clean hydrogen where it is needed. The gas is highly flammable – with all the safety concerns that entails – must be stored under pressure and leaks easily.Hydrogen is notable for its unique properties making it the most viable alternative fuel for electricity generation and engine power. This element is highly abundant and is being used in numerous applications industrially.No, it’s unlikely that hydrogen cars will replace electric vehicles (EVs). They offer fast refuelling and longer ranges, but EVs benefit from an extensive charging infrastructure and lower costs.
Will hydrogen overtake EV?
That’s true to an extent, but hydrogen-powered cars are not really expected to replace EVs. Instead, hydrogen is intended to complement pure-electric power, and there’s a good reason for this: it is the cleanest fuel possible. Hydrogen vehicles require less frequent service than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), they eliminate oil changes, spark plugs, and exhaust system repairs. However, FCEVs still include mechanical components that need regular attention.Yes. Hydrogen internal combustion engines (hydrogen ICE) work similarly to diesel engines. Hydrogen is burned in the same way a traditional internal combustion engine burns gasoline or diesel.After its development was accelerated in the hothouse of Japanese motorsport, a prototype hydrogen combustion road car is being tested and evaluated. Meet the prototype Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept! Hydrogen combustion is another possible alternative path to zero emissions.The California Air Resources Board has labeled hydrogen-powered trucks a “dead-end technology” because combusting hydrogen can still produce trace pollutants. To California regulators, “a hydrogen combustion engine does not meet the definition of a (zero emissions vehicle).