Toyota is on the receiving finish of a category motion lawsuit in California, with homeowners of the hydrogen-powered Mirai claiming they have been misled in regards to the state the infrastructure to assist refuelling when shopping for their vehicles.
The Los Angeles Instances studies greater than “two dozens” plaintiffs have joined the lawsuit, which has been spearheaded by motorists who bought Toyota’s hydrogen Mirai beneath the pretence hydrogen refuelling could be handy and accessible inside California.
Californian lawyer Nilofar Nouri reportedly claims Toyota salespeople advised consumers that hydrogen stations have been “handy and available”, which turned out to be “removed from actuality”.
Toyota advised the LA Instances it was “dedicated to buyer satisfaction” and would proceed to judge “learn how to finest assist its prospects”, whereas responding to the lawsuit’s allegations “within the applicable discussion board”.
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Toyota Mirai
Hydrogen gas cells automobiles (FCEVs) are a key issue within the state’s decarbonisation plan, because the California Air Sources Board (CARB) tasks greater than 10 per cent of latest vehicles offered in 2035 will likely be FCEV.
For context, 1.78 million new automobiles have been offered in California final yr, which might imply 356,000 gas cell automobile gross sales to satisfy the 20 per cent projection.
Nevertheless, gross sales of FCEVs are declining in California. Within the first half of final yr, the LA Instances studies 1765 FCEVs have been offered on the way in which to the yr’s complete of 2968. Within the first half of this yr, that quantity has shrunk to only 298.
The publication attributes the decline to the stalling of California’s hydrogen rollout plans, that are presently properly behind the preliminary plan of 200 refuelling stations up and operating by 2025.
In 2006, there have been 20 hydrogen stations operational within the state. In 2024, that quantity has grown to only 56 regardless of US$260 million (A$392 million) in funding being poured into the rollout of extra refuelling stations within the state.
Although there are a choose few producers investing in hydrogen tech within the US (specifically Toyota and Hyundai), it’s not their duty to construct hydrogen stations.
The LA Instances studies the cash awarded to the hydrogen refuelling corporations largely comes from transportation charges paid by automobile homeowners in California, although they did contribute a few of their very own cash.
A blow to the business got here earlier this yr, when vitality big Shell made the determination to shut all of its Californian hydrogen refuelling stations amidst falling demand for FCEVs.
The corporate was the primary to open a US hydrogen station in 2005, and it was final yr awarded US40.6 million (A$62.2 million) in authorities funding with plans to construct 48 further stations in California. These plans have been cancelled on account of the model’s hydrogen exit.
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Hyundai Nexo
Whereas demand falls for gas cell automobiles, the LA Instances studies carmakers like Toyota and Hyundai are the hardest-hit of anybody, as they have been relying on the growth of stations to drive gross sales.
They every give new FCEV proprietor a debit card for refuelling value US$15,000 (A$22,600), although growing hydrogen costs has reportedly reduce the worth of the playing cards by greater than half.
California isn’t the one place hydrogen is declining, with six new FCEVs delivered in Australia final yr – 4 Toyota Mirais and two of Hyundai’s Nexo FCEV.
Each automobiles are usually not offered to the general public and are solely out there on lease offers to organisations permitted by the producers, and have entry to the fewer than 10 refuelling stations positioned throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
The six FCEVs offered in Australia final yr represented a 60 per cent lower on 2022, and a stark distinction to the 161 per cent rise in EV gross sales, with 87,217 new battery-powered automobiles registered in 2023.
MORE: One other blow for hydrogen energy as vitality big closes refuelling stations
