This Is Why Mercedes Is Giving Up on Hydrogen Fuel Cells
No More Mercedes Fuel Cells
If you talk to automakers like GM, Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai, hydrogen fuel cell technology is still an important investment. In fact, Honda just launched the hydrogen-powered Clarity, and Toyota’s been selling the odd-looking Mirai since 2015. But don’t expect to see Mercedes selling cars powered by fuel cells anytime soon.
As the website Smart2Zero reports, Mercedes and its parent company Daimler have decided that hydrogen fuel cells are no longer a priority. CEO Dieter Zetsche recently told reporters in Stuttgart that even though Daimler has developed cutting-edge fuel-cell technology, the advantages it offers are disappearing. Instead, he plans to focus on battery-electric vehicles.
Advantages of Batteries Over Fuel Cells
Early electric cars were limited by battery range and long charging times. Hydrogen fuel cells, meanwhile, could be refueled quickly and could go much longer distances between fill-ups. But in the past several years, batteries have improved dramatically. Fuel cell technology, however, hasn’t exactly followed suit.
“Battery costs are declining rapidly whereas hydrogen production remains very costly,” Zetsche said. He then went on to say that fuel cells are an “interesting solution” but that the cost of producing hydrogen sustainably will likely limit its usefulness.
Considering how much battery technology has improved in only the last decade, this is probably the right move for Daimler. Hydrogen enthusiasts will understandably be disappointed, but unfortunately for them, the industry as a whole is moving towards battery-electric vehicles. If Mercedes wants to compete with the other automakers developing electric cars, it probably shouldn’t continue investing in hydrogen technology that may never be viable.
That said, at least for now, a hydrogen-powered version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC will still go on sale later this year. After that, you may never be able to buy a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Mercedes ever again.