Most of the attention is on plug-in electric vehicles.
HFCs form energy that OEMs can use to power anything from commercial vehicles to forklifts and drones.
How do Hydrogen Fuel Cells work?
The hydrogen in the fuel tanks travels to the fuel-cell stack.
Inside the stack, the hydrogen undergoes an electrochemical reaction with oxygen thats collected through the air intake.
This process generates electricity which either directly powers the motor or is stored in the battery for future use.
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However, while EVs run on batteries that rely on a plug-recharge, HFC vehicles generate their electricity onboard.
A HFC vehicle needs to be pumped up with hydrogen at a specialist filling station.
Hydrogen fuel cells are not going anywhere fast.
These industries are all pushing to reduce their carbon impact.
HyundaisXcient Fuel-Cell trucksfeature a 190-kilowatt fuel cell comprised of seven high-pressure tanks holding around 35kg of hydrogen.
The company has been renting its trucks to local companies in Switzerland for almost a year.
But cmon are HFCs a fool errand?
Elon Musk is not a fan of hydrogen fuel cells, calling them fool sells and staggeringly dumb.
Its hardly surprising since the Tesla empire is built on lithium-ion batteries.
Its worth noting that HFC technology is still in its early stages, unlike EVs.
But even electric cars took decades to go mainstream.
The technology has a way to go, particularly in obtaining and transporting hydrogen.
Its years away from mainstream adoption, especially in cars.
However, HFCs will remain relevant, particularly in long-distance transport such as freight trucks and trains.
Whatever your view, governments are heavily invested in HFCs.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
