Here's Why Hydrogen Cars Are Suddenly a Big Deal

By John Rosevear – Nov 25, 2013 at 6:42PM

NYSE: TM

Toyota Motor

Market Cap

$311B

Today's Change

(0.05%) $0.11

Current Price

$230.41

Price as of April 23, 2024, 4:00 p.m. ET

Toyota and Honda, among others, are now pushing to bring hydrogen fuel cell cars to market. Here's why.

Toyota's FCV Concept is a preview of the company's first fuel-cell car, expected to arrive at dealers in 2015. Photo credit: Toyota

What's the deal with hydrogen cars?

"Hydrogen cars" are vehicles powered by fuel cells. Fuel cells chemically convert the energy in hydrogen to electricity. A fuel cell -- plus a tank of hydrogen -- can replace a big bulky battery packs in an electric car.

Toyota (TM 0.05%), Honda (HMC 0.09%), and Hyundai (HYMTF) all showed off new fuel-cell vehicles earlier this month -- and they, along with several other big names, have promised to put them into production over the next few years.

Why does it seem that automakers are suddenly pushing fuel cells instead of battery-electric cars? In this video, Fool contributor John Rosevear looks as the advantages (and disadvantages) of fuel cells as compared to batteries, and explains what will have to happen before American drivers can move to a hydrogen-powered future.

Fool contributor John Rosevear has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Tesla Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of Tesla Motors. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.