Skip to main content
TechRadar TechRadar the technology experts
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Phones
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
      • Android
      • iOS
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
  • Phones
    • View Phones
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
      • Android
      • iOS
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • View Computing
    • Laptops
      • View Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • View Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • View Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • View Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • View Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • View Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • View AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • View TVs
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • View Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • View Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • View Audio
    • Headphones
      • View Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • View Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • View Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • View Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • View VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • View Cameras
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • View Home
    • Smart Home
      • View Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • View Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • View Browse
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Best VPN
  • Back to school
  • Best laptop
  • ChatGPT
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best web hosting
Don't miss these
Honda CUV e
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I've ridden Honda's latest electric scooter with clever battery-swap technology – and it might just convince commuters to give up on petrol
A CATL battery swap station next to the Geely Haoyue R7 car
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles The world's first range-extending hybrid car with swappable battery packs has landed – here's why it could be the future
Mercedes-Benz G 580
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I’ve driven the new electric Mercedes G-Wagen – and the rough-and-ready EV makes very little sense, which is why it’s perfect
Three cars on show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with one on track.
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Electric cars can be fun – the 6 hottest new EVs from the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025
Honda N-One e
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Honda's tiny EV makes official debut – and the impossibly cute microcar can power your home too
Huawei Maestro S800
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Huawei says its new solid-state EV battery can give you 1,800 miles of range and charge in less than 5 minutes, but we have questions
Best EV 2025
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I review EVs for a living – these are the 7 best electric cars I’ve tested in 2025 so far
The Kia EV5 parked by a lake
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I took the Kia EV5 on a weekend away and it's a near-perfect electric SUV for families – with one major drawback
Wuyang-Honda E-VO
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Honda launches its first-ever production electric motorbike, but I'll be skipping it for these 3 reasons
Dacia Sandrider
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Dacia’s Batmobile-like racer runs on sustainable biofuels, eats deserts for breakfast and scared me senseless
Yadea sodium-ion scooters
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles China is racing ahead with sodium-ion batteries – as sea salt becomes the power source for its electric scooter revolution
Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I’ve driven the new Mercedes-Benz CLA and it convinced me that EV efficiency can actually be exciting
The rear wheel of the Verge TS Pro motorbike next to a view of its front
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles I've ridden the groundbreaking Verge TS Pro electric superbike – and it almost lives up to its Tron-like looks and hefty price tag
Peugeot E-208 GTi
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Peugeot reinvents its GTi badge for the EV age – and the E-208 is the best looking electric hot-hatch so far
A Mini Countryman in green
Hybrid & Electric Vehicles My week with the Mini Countryman EV made me realize it was perfectly ok to appreciate the finer things in life
  1. Vehicle Tech
  2. Hybrid & Electric Vehicles

10 things you need to know before buying a hydrogen car

News
By John McCann published 22 April 2016

A little bit of chemistry goes a long way

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Hydrogen cars

Hydrogen cars

Car manufacturers are falling over themselves to bring us environmentally friendly vehicles as the world's supply of oil dwindles and fears about the impact of global warming continue to hot up.

And these panics have spawned some exciting new engine technology. First we had the petrol-electric hybrids, and there's now an increasing number of fully electric vehicles (EVs) hitting the road, such as the Tesla Model S and the Nissan Leaf.

Electricity isn't the only answer in the quest for viable sustainable fuel solutions though – hydrogen is also being touted as a low-cost, renewable energy source.

Currently, there are only two commercial hydrogen-powered cars available from mainstream makers the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell and Toyota Mirai – but they're likely to be the start of something much bigger.

So what's all the fuss about? We're here to tell you the 10 things you need to know about hydrogen-powered vehicles – so buckle up, and keep your arms and legs inside the article. Here... we... go...

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
1. Power = water

1. Power = water

For hydrogen to work as a fuel you need a means of converting it from the abundant gas in the air which surrounds us into a form of power.

The ix35 Fuel Cell doesn't have a traditional engine under the hood – instead, as the name suggests, you get a fuel cell.

This sucks in hydrogen from the tank in the car, and oxygen from the air outside, forming a chemical reaction to generate electrodes to power the car. The only waste product is H2O – you know, water.

Power? Check. Zero emissions? Check.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
2. They're silent... almost

2. They're silent... almost

Slide into your hydrogen vehicle, start the ignition (a simple button press in the Hyundai's case), and you'll hear... nothing. Like electric cars, there's no engine sound from a hydrogen vehicle. Well, almost no sound.

Step out of the car, and if you're parked on a relatively quiet street you'll hear the hum of the fuel cell getting to work. It's soft, and in nosier environments you won't hear it.

Driving along, all you'll hear is the usual sound of rubber on tarmac – put your foot down and there's no roar, just power.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
3. Go, go, go

3. Go, go, go

It may all sound a little too good to be true, and you'll be wondering what concessions you have to make in order to own and run a hydrogen-powered car.

Performance may be one area you're thinking has taken a hit – but no. Put your foot down and you won't be disappointed by the response.

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) SUV, so it's not exactly built for speed, but pressing down on the go-kart style accelerator generated a pleasing pressed-into-your-seat boost.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
4. There's a battery too

4. There's a battery too

While your hydrogen car will be powered by the gas, you're also find a battery on board.

This is tasked with jobs such as start-up and initial acceleration – giving you instant power, as there's a slight (we're talking less than a second) delay between putting your foot down and the fuel cell delivering what you want.

The battery recharges itself using the kinetic energy produced under braking, ensuring it never runs flat.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
5. No revs, just power

5. No revs, just power

There's no combustion engine at work in a hydrogen car, and no traditional gearbox. Get in and you'll see what looks like an automatic transmission – but there are no gears for the hydrogen car to work its way through.

That means the rev counter on the heads-up display has been replaced by... wait for it... a power bar.

Yes, power! The harder you depress the accelerator the higher up you'll go on the power scale. It's silly, but a lot of fun. Just roar 'POWER' as you put your foot down and enjoy.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
6. Going the distance

6. Going the distance

One of the big anxieties with electric vehicles is their range, with many limited in terms of miles they can go on a single charge versus traditional gasoline cars.

Another benefit of hydrogen, however, is its ability to more closely match petrol-fuelled rides for range – which means fewer top-ups on long journeys.

The Toyato Mirai has an estimated range of 312 miles, while Hyundai claims the ix35 Fuel Cell we drove can do up to 369 miles on a single tank of hydrogen – which is pretty darn good.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
7. Quick (but tricky) to fill

7. Quick (but tricky) to fill

The process of refuelling is similar to that for traditional cars too – you open a flap on the side of the car, and insert a nozzle to pump it full of hydrogen.

You can fill the tank of your vehicle in three to five minutes (depending on size) – which is significantly faster than even the quickest EV charging times (around 30 minutes).

It's more convenient then, but there is one big problem: you'll struggle to find anywhere which currently sells hydrogen. In the UK, for example, there are just four public stations where you can top up.

It's hoped this number will grow to 65 in the UK by 2020, but that's still a relatively small network – by comparison there are currently more than 8,000 petrol stations in the UK.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
8. Infotainment included

8. Infotainment included

Hydrogen may not seem like the most powerful of substances, but don't fret – there's plenty of power to speed you along the highway and Bluetooth your Spotify playlist to your car's audio system.

Just as in a standard car, you can expect all the usual tech bells and whistles inside the cabin too (if you're willing to pay their various premiums, of course).

Sat Nav, Bluetooth phone-pairing, digital radio, cruise control, climate control, reversing camera, parking sensors – they can all be squeezed into your hydrogen vehicle.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
9. Just the four wheels then

9. Just the four wheels then

Four wheels are a pretty important feature of any car – but you're unlikely to get any more than that with your hydrogen car unless you're willing to mount one on the trunk.

That's because the hydrogen tank takes up a lot of space. It needs to be big enough to give you the range, while also being strong enough not to explode during an impact.

Hyundai's hydrogen drum comprises an aluminum barrel wrapped in carbon fiber, giving a total wall thickness of 1.6 inches. It's been dropped from a height of six stories 10 times without suffering anything more than a scratch – but it takes up all the under-floor space in the back and the under-chassis space, which are two common locations for a spare wheel.

If you don't know how to use a puncture repair kit, you'll want to learn before splashing out on a hydrogen car.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
10. It's not cheap... yet

10. It's not cheap... yet

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell and Toyota Mirai are currently the only production-model hydrogen vehicles around, with the former setting you back £53,000 (around US$76,000, AU$97,000). Meanwhile the Mirai comes in at a still steep US$57,500 (around £40,000, AU$75,000).

That's not exactly cheap – especially when you consider the limited number of places where you can actually fill it up.

Hyundai has said it's looking at a more compact model, which will hopefully bring the price down – and a number of other manufacturers are exploring the technology.

For hydrogen to really take off, we need more than one manufacturer building cars. There's plenty of time for this to happen, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that it does.

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
John McCann
John McCann
Social Links Navigation
Former Global Managing Editor

TechRadar's former Global Managing Editor, John has been a technology journalist for more than a decade, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He’s interviewed CEOs from some of the world’s biggest tech firms, visited their HQs, and appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC, and BBC Radio 4.

Read more
Honda CUV e
I've ridden Honda's latest electric scooter with clever battery-swap technology – and it might just convince commuters to give up on petrol
A CATL battery swap station next to the Geely Haoyue R7 car
The world's first range-extending hybrid car with swappable battery packs has landed – here's why it could be the future
Mercedes-Benz G 580
I’ve driven the new electric Mercedes G-Wagen – and the rough-and-ready EV makes very little sense, which is why it’s perfect
Three cars on show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with one on track.
Electric cars can be fun – the 6 hottest new EVs from the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025
Honda N-One e
Honda's tiny EV makes official debut – and the impossibly cute microcar can power your home too
Huawei Maestro S800
Huawei says its new solid-state EV battery can give you 1,800 miles of range and charge in less than 5 minutes, but we have questions
Latest in Hybrid & Electric Vehicles
Tesla Model Y Performance 2025
Tesla takes the wraps off its Model Y Performance – a family SUV that’s faster than a Porsche 911
Tesla Teases Model Y Performance
Tesla teases major launch for tomorrow – and it looks like it could be the new Model Y Performance
The Porsche Macan electric car parked on grass
I took Porche's new electric SUV for a spin – and the pricey Macan is just pure perfection
Bentley Batur One plus One
'If it’s just digital, it will never be luxury': Bentley hits out at premium rivals as it prepares to launch first EV
Mercedes-AMG GT XX distance record
This wild Mercedes-AMG concept car just demolished several EV distance records – including driving 'around the world' in eight days
Flipper Zero home screen
Your car could be at risk – new Flipper Zero craze sees car thieves use cheap hacking device, and there's no easy fix
Latest in News
Samsung Galaxy event
Fresh leaks hint at what to expect from the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy Tab S11 launch next week
Google Pixel 10 showing back and camera bump in frost
Some Google Pixel 10 owners are reporting problems with wireless charging
Steam
Want to access mature games on Steam? You’ll need a credit card for that – but only in the UK
Lenovo leaked laptop with rotating screen
Leaker shares Lenovo's radical new concepts: a laptop with a screen that rotates into portrait, and an AI-powered notebook stand
Parvati from Survivor Australia 2025 season 11 pictured on a beach in Samoa
How to watch Survivor Australia on 10Play (it's free)
The Flipepr Zero, iPhone 16 Pro, and DJI Mic 3 next to each other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's iPhone event teaser to a possible car theft threat
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    Need a cheap Sony headphones Labor Day deal? I got you – these excellent cans are just $38
  2. 2
    This creative concept reinvents the 1.44MB floppy disk as a modern storage device – a holder for today’s SD cards packing terabytes of storage
  3. 3
    A Labor Day dream – LG's all-new C5 OLED TV is on sale for its lowest price yet
  4. 4
    Here's one of the cheapest RTX 5060-powered gaming laptops so far
  5. 5
    Got no signal? This devious cyberattack can downgrade your phone from 5G to 4G without you knowing

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...