Renewable energy. Green technologies. Electric vehicles. These may seem like buzz words that cover a wide range of topics, but they are all important pieces to the future of the auto industry.
For years, the industry has seen progress in the advancement of battery-electric vehicles. Yet it is not the only alternative to a traditional internal combustion engine. Is there space in the market for various alternative solutions? Can hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCEVs) find their own foothold in the auto industry?
At least in the short term, experts believe FCEV technology may find its positioning more in long-haul trucking and other large vehicle markets.
While there is work being done in the passenger car market, the continued expansion of BEVs likely impacts FCEVs success in that market.
"Building two infrastructures for the passenger car fleet is problematic," said Brett Smith, director of technology at the Center of Automotive Research. "That certainly doesn't mean that hydrogen is not going to be a viable alternative, but it's just a big problem."
Another major factor impacting the success of hydrogen in the passenger car market is the support of BEVs by governments in the U.S., Europe and parts of Asia.