The term "water car" is a common nickname for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV), which produces its own electricity using hydrogen and emits only water vapor. However, there is no such thing as a car you can literally fill up with water from your garden hose. The cost of an FCEV is significantly higher than a conventional gasoline car or even a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). A new hydrogen car like the Toyota Mirai or Hyundai Nexo has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting around $50,000, but the true cost of ownership is heavily influenced by hydrogen fuel prices and available incentives.
The biggest financial challenge isn't the car's sticker price but the cost of fuel. Hydrogen is measured in dollars per kilogram, and current prices can be volatile. The table below compares the key cost factors for a typical FCEV against a BEV and a gasoline car.
| Cost Factor | Hydrogen FCEV (e.g., Toyota Mirai) | Battery EV (e.g., Tesla Model 3) | Gasoline Car (e.g., Toyota Camry) |
|---|
| Starting MSRP | ~$50,000 | ~$40,000 | ~$27,000 |
| "Fuel" Cost | ~$25-$36 per kg (varies by region) | ~$0.15 per kWh (home charging) | ~$3.50 per gallon (national avg.) |
| Range per "Fill" | ~400 miles | ~270-350 miles | ~450-500 miles |
| Cost per 100 miles | ~$20 - $28 | ~$4 - $6 | ~$11 - $14 |
| Incentives | Potential $7,500 federal tax credit | Potential $7,500 federal tax credit | Often none |
Beyond the car and fuel, you must consider practicality. Hydrogen refueling stations are almost exclusively located in California, making FCEVs impractical for most of the country. Some dealers offer significant hydrogen fuel card incentives (e.g., $15,000 or 3-6 years of free fuel) to offset the high operating costs, which is a critical factor to calculate. For the vast majority of American drivers, a BEV or a hybrid is a more affordable and accessible alternative.
