In electric vehicles, a fuel cell powertrain is a system that converts oxygen and hydrogen gas to electricity. Unlike an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), the fuel cell powertrain is extremely efficient and environmentally friendly as it does not generate hazardous emissions.

The powertrain fuel cell is a low-cost, zero-emission mobility solution. This is part of a hybrid fuel cell car, which uses hydrogen as an energy source to produce electricity. Continuous technological advancements in the automotive industry are accelerating the revenue growth of the global powertrain fuel cell sector. The market for fuel cell powertrains is expected to develop at an exponential rate owing to environmental concerns over Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

Increasing government attempts to create hydrogen supply networks are expected to lead to the further adoption of electric vehicles, in turn, boosting the demand for fuel cell powertrains in the process. Advances in automobiles include the development of battery-powered electric cars, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, Compression Ignition (CI) or Spark-Ignition (SI) engines, and upgraded internal combustion engines.

Fuel-cell vehicles that use hydrogen emit fewer pollutants as a result of their low-emission technologies, making their adoption more sensible. This is expected to stimulate global demand for fuel cell powertrains in the years to come.

Detailed Segmentation –

Based On Component:

• Fuel Cell Systems
• Battery Systems
• Drive Systems
• Hydrogen Storage Systems
• Other Components

Based on Drive Type:

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
• Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

Based On Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Vehicles
• Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)
• Buses
• Trucks

Based On Power Output:

• <150 kW
• 150-250 kW
• >250kW

Based on Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Market Dynamics –

Drivers for the Global Fuel Cell Powertrain Market:

The driving range of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) differs significantly on a full charge. FCEVs can travel nearly 300 miles without refueling, but a BEV hasa typical range of roughly 110 miles on a fully charged battery. In the United States, the Honda Clarity holds the highest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) driving rating for a zero-emission vehicle. It can travel up to 366 miles on a single charge. Better fuel efficiency and longer driving range will raise demand for FCEVs, thereby propelling the fuel cell powertrain market forward.

Restraints for the Global Fuel Cell Powertrain Market:

Fuel cells employ a chemical reaction to generate energy from hydrogen and oxygen. While hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, oxygen aids in the combustion of other compounds at lower temperatures. The fuel can catch fire if not handled properly; hydrogen flames are invisible. Fuel cells are installed inside FCEVs, where hydrogen gas is kept under pressure.

The hydrogen could catch fire if even a spark of electricity comes into contact with it. Though power is generated without combustion in fuel cells, which reduces the risk of a car catching fire, there are a number of electronic and electrical components in the vehicle that could generate heat or electricity. At hydrogen fuel stations, the risk of fire is also relatively considerable.

Opportunities for the Global Fuel Cell Powertrain Market:

FCEVs have a long driving range, quick refueling capabilities is practically silent when operated, and produce no greenhouse gases or air pollution emissions. Owing to this, its use in transportation and automotive applications seems to be a more suitable idea.

The key components of a fuel cell powertrain are designed for compactness, combining all e-drive components such as e-motors, transmissions, and inverters to maximize battery space, offering higher efficiency and power density levels, has the ability to manage an electrically driven oil pump integrated which can then be converted to necessary power, and is even capable of providing an advanced cooling system to meet the various temperature requirements of the components. Owing to these aforementioned factors, these systems are extensively used in big commercial vehicles to lower system costs by combining multiple components into a single unit or system.

Trends for the Global Fuel Cell Powertrain Market:

The market for fuel cell powertrains is expected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period, owing to increasing awareness about the negative effects of surging greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants in the environment, as well as rapid technological changes in the automotive industry and the growing adoption of FCEVs.

Furthermore, fuel cells have several advantages over combustion engines, including improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions, lower operational costs due to the elimination of battery replacement, charging, and management, as well as their ability to operate almost silently due to fewer moving components. These factors are predicted to boost the revenue growth of this market.

Competitive Landscape –

• AVID Technology Ltd.
• Ballard Power Systems
• Brown Machine Group
• Ceres Power
• Cummins Inc.
• Delphi Technologies
• Denso Corporation
• ITM Power Manufacturers
• Robert Bosch
• Bloom Energy
• SFC Energy

Recent Developments:

• In April 2020, Ballard Power Systems stated that Solaris has placed a follow-on order for 20 fuel cell buses. The Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses will be powered by a Ballard 70kW heavy-duty fuel cell, which will be deployed in South Holland, Germany.
• In September 2019, Cummins and Hyundai Motor Company partnered to assess potential for developing and commercializing electric and fuel cell powertrains. Hyundai’s fuel cell technology would be combined with Cummins electric powertrain, battery, and control technologies to create these new powertrains.

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For the Fuel Cell Powertrain Market research study, the following years have been considered to estimate the market size: