Tesla Trumps Toyota

And batteries and public charging continues to improve.

Toyota's home country is one of the few in which hydrogen cars might be a better option than plug ins. Instead of adapting their strategy and product mix for the other markets where that isn't so, they are trying to export hydrogen cars to.

@FL_Prius_Driver had two points.

1. An individual has options when it comes fueling their plug in car. If they want to use renewable electric, they can for most. That simply isn't possible with hydrogen and gasoline. Consumers are at the mercy of government regulations and the market on whether those fuels contain any renewable portion.
   
2. Then the majority of renewable hydrogen relies on renewable electric. Using that electricity in plug ins is easier, and would provide more vehicle miles.

 

Technically, those aren't problems of FCEVs, they are problems of using hydrogen for fuel.

 

Nissan's FCEV runs on 55% or 100% ethanol in a SOFC. Testing was done in Brasil where the fuel is already available. It could be be adapted for gasoline or diesel.

Reposting for reference
4. High fueling cost (compared to gasoline)
5. Limited fuel stations (the chicken and egg problem)
6. Improvements in the competition
7. Problems delivering cost-effective emissions reductions

#4 - Hydrogen's high cost is because of the equipment and energy requirements to fill a 10,000psi tank. California also mandates a portion be renewable, whichs adds to the price. Other alternative fuels are in the gasoline and diesel price range, and most of them can also run an engine without as much compromise as using hydrogen.

#5 - An issue for nearly every alternative fuel, but is something we need to start working on, and it will be easier to start switching with engines than trying to do so while also trying to foster a new technology.
There are far more CNG stations in the country than hydrogen, and the reach of the NG distribution network means building more should be as easy and cost as much as a gas station.
Require more flex-fuel engines, while letting methanol also be used.
Then engined cars car support the spread of stations supplying these fuels. Once they are widespread, then you introduce the FCEVs.

The same could be done with hydrogen. The costs to do so are just far greater. There are numerous private fleets of CNG vehicles out there. They don't use hydrogen because of the higher costs and lower efficiency in an engine.

#6 & #7 - Are issues for all FCEVs, but are even ones for other technologies. Hybrids are still getting beat by traditional cars in the US.

My prediction is that we won't see widespread use of fuel cells in cars until they can compete with an ICE generator for a range extender in a plug in.