Auto Industry to Sell 1 Million Fuel Cell Vehicles by 2020

Somewhat more difficult to move because of the shortcomings, especially related to the lack of a proper hydrogen refueling network, the fuel cell electric vehicles will take longer than the other types of EVs to become a viable choice.

Whereas battery electric vehicles will boom prior to the middle of the decade, fuel cell EVs will only reach the 1 millionth unit sold mark in 2020. According to a study conducted by Pike Research, only after 2015 will this type of cars become a viable choice.

Currently at the center of the development process of automakers like Daimler, Toyota, or GM, fuel cell EVs will not pass the 10,000 mark by the middle of the decade, and nearly all those vehicles will be test ones. In 2015, Pike says 57,000 FCVs will be sold and, following that year, the market would grow to a total of 390,000 vehicles annually.

"The fact that fuel cells for passenger cars are still being pursued may come as a surprise to casual observers of the clean vehicle technology arena," said Pike senior analyst Lisa Jerram.

"However, automakers such as Toyota, Daimler, GM, Honda, and Hyundai have all said that fuel cells are a critical piece of a complete clean vehicle portfolio. With fuel cells, they see the opportunity to offer a zero-emissions car with a 300-mile range in the larger vehicle platforms."

Another study published by Pike in late March showed what will be the preferences of different markets in terms of EVs. The group said that battery electric vehicles will be more popular in countries in the Asia Pacific region and Europe, while Americans will likely choose plug-in hybrids.