The National Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Learning Demonstration—funded and managed by EERE—has tested, demonstrated, and validated fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure in real-world environments. The project found that these vehicles achieved more than twice the efficiency of today’s gasoline vehicles, with refueling times of about five minutes. Four teams took part in the Learning Demonstration, in which auto manufacturers Ford Motor Company, Hyundai, Kia, Daimler/Chrysler/Mercedes-Benz R&D North America, and General Motors participated. The teams collected data from 183 fuel cell electric vehicles taking more than 500,000 trips totaling 154,000 hours of operation with more than 3.6 million miles traveled. They also collected data from 25 fueling stations, which refilled the vehicles approximately 33,000 times while dispensing 152,000 kilograms of hydrogen. Project partners contributed $164 million to this effort. In general, switching from a gasoline engine to a hydrogen fuel cell could reduce emissions by more than 90%.

Positive Impact

Testing and validation for fuel cell electric vehicles. Auto manufacturers demonstrate that switching from a gasoline to a hydrogen fuel cell engine could reduce emissions by more than 90%.

Locations

Michigan

Partners

Ford Motor Company, Hyundai, Kia, Daimler/Chrysler/Mercedes-Benz R&D North America, General Motors

EERE Investment

$140 million

Clean Energy Sector

Sustainable transportation

The Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) conducts comprehensive efforts to overcome the technological, economic, and institutional barriers to the widespread commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cells. 

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.