Another big car company gives up on hydrogen

Stellantis, the automotive giant, has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell development program. The decision was made due to the "limited availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives." This shift in stance comes after the company's previous announcement in January 2024 about rolling out a fleet of commercial fuel cell vehicles. The article suggests that Stellantis is not the first company to pledge support for fuel cells and then backtrack, as Toyota has also had to cede more market share to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Hydrogen has been touted as a clean, emission-free energy source, but its inherent flaws, such as low energy density, difficulty in mass production, and the need for significant infrastructure investment, have made it a non-starter as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. The article concludes that it is time for the industry to focus its attention elsewhere, as the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) market has remained relatively small compared to the growing BEV market.