The Great Hydrogen Divide: The Environmental Impact of Hydrogen Production for Vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) are often lauded as the ultimate clean transportation solution, with their tailpipes emitting nothing but harmless water vapor. However, this “zero-emission” label is only half the story. The true environmental impact of a hydrogen car is not at the tailpipe, but at the point of production. The way hydrogen is produced—and the energy source used for that process—determines whether it is a truly clean fuel or a perpetuator of the very problems it seeks to solve.
The hydrogen industry has adopted a color-coding system to differentiate between various production methods and their associated environmental footprints. Understanding this system is crucial to evaluating hydrogen’s role in a sustainable future.
1. Gray Hydrogen: The Current Reality
The vast majority of hydrogen produced globally today is “gray” hydrogen. This is the most common and cheapest form, but it comes at a significant environmental cost.
- How it’s Made: