Fuel Cell Technology Market Trends

Global Fuel Cell Technology Market Overview

Fuel Cell Technology Market Size was valued at USD 3.40 Billion in 2023. The Fuel Cell Technology market industry is projected to grow from USD 3.96 Billion in 2024 to USD 13.60 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The higher demand for fuel cell vehicles in industrial verticals is growing at an increased pace. Fuel cell utilization in vehicles is proven beneficial; hence, the automotive sectors are highly demanding and are the key market drivers enhancing market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Fuel Cell Technology Market Trends

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  Growing need for clean energy to boost the market growth

  
  

The fuel cell market has high investments from the top regional players. China, Japan, the US, the UK, and Germany are allocating more investments for fuel cell technology. The investments in energy utilities are rising to meet the current demand. The need for clean energy is essential today. Clean energy is a more reliable, sustainable, and cost-efficient energy source. In the upcoming years, the key players in the market will increase their investments by 39 million. Therefore, massive investments are a crucial driver for the market. Further, the deployments of hydrogen fuel cell technology are another crucial driver for the market. The hydrogen fuel cell is beneficial and reliable energy for vehicles. The launch of the hydrogen cell is fuelling the demand of the overall market. Also, there is an exceptional development in UAV utilities and applications in the defense sector. This portable power generation unit in the defense sector is propelling the fuel-cell technology market growth. All these drivers of the market will have a significant impact on the demand and revenue rates

The fuel cell energy is generated from methanol and natural gas. The requirement of the fuel cell operations depends on the catalyst and type of membrane used in the cell. Some fuel cell technology uses the proton exchange membrane and some require pure hydrogen energy. Also, there are fuel-flexible cells that offer ease of operation in any utility. There are plenty of variations in the Fuel Cell Technology Industry. Also, fuel cells such as solid oxide, acid fuel, and phosphoric cells can sustain without the use of pure hydrogen gas.

The launch of more fuel-flexible cells will provide development opportunities for the market. These flexible fuel cells are suitable for both conventional and non-conventional operations. The advancement to provide flexible fuel will provide lucrative growth opportunities. Also, this exceptional opportunity will provide expansion possibilities and product variation in the market. The increasing R&D investments in the market will further enhance future growth opportunities for fuel cell technology. Therefore, such factors related to Fuel Cell Technology have enhanced the Fuel Cell Technology market CAGR across the globe in recent years.

However, the use of these products has significantly increased due to the introduction of new, more potent, and safer Fuel Cell Technology, which are another factor driving the growth of the Fuel Cell Technology market revenue

Fuel Cell Technology Market Segment Insights

Fuel Cell Technology Type Insights

The  Fuel Cell Technology market segmentation, based on type, includes PEMFC, MCFC, SOFC, DMFC, PAF and Others. The PEMFC segment held the majority share 2021 of the  Fuel Cell Technology market revenue. This is due to owing to rise in demand for clean power generation and dependence on fuel cell-based transport applications. In addition, PEMFC offers various advantages, such as low operational cost, improved reliability, less maintenance time, high operational efficiency, and others that are further projected to fuel the growth of the market in the coming years.

Fuel Cell Technology Application Insights

Based on application, the  Fuel Cell Technology market segmentation includes Stationary, Portable, and Transportation. The stationery segment dominated the market in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030. These owing to a rise in demand for fuel cells from backup power applications and distributed generation facilities. In addition, the fuel cell is increasingly used in combined heat & power applications, which in turn is further expected to drive the fuel cell market growth of this segment in the upcoming years. These all factors for Fuel Cell Technology positively impact the market growth.

Figure 2:  Fuel Cell Technology Market, by Application, 2024 & 2030 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Fuel Cell Technology Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The Asia Pacific will record the highest demand rate for fuel cell technology in the forecast period. Also, the adoption of fuel cell-powered vehicles will increase over the forecast period. There are promising growth opportunities for the market. Innovation and investments will reach their peak in the upcoming years. China is a key hub of fuel cell facilities. The awareness about renewable energy is higher in this region. Therefore, the maximum contribution to the market will be from China. Japan is accepted to add 50000 fuel cell utilities in the forecast period. The Asia Pacific fuel cell technology market will prove profitable during the forecast.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil

Figure 3:  Fuel Cell Technology Market Share By Region 2021 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe’s Fuel Cell Technology market accounts for the fastest-growing market share. The European Union has been a leader in the development and deployment of fuel cell technology, with a market that is growing rapidly. Fuel cells are a key technology for the decarbonization of the economy and the EU is committed to their continued development and deployment. The EU has been investing in fuel cell research and development for many years, and this has led to significant progress in technology. Fuel cells are now being used in a range of applications, including power generation, transportation, and portable electronics. The market for fuel cells in Europe is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, as the technology becomes more widely adopted. The EU is working to ensure that fuel cells are developed and deployed in a way that maximizes their environmental and economic benefits... Further, the Germany Fuel Cell Technology market held the largest market share, and the UK Fuel Cell Technology market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

North America, Fuel Cell Technology market, is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. The North America Fuel Cell Technology market is the second largest in the world. This is because the region has a large number of automotive and industrial applications. In addition, the region has a well-developed infrastructure and a large number of manufacturers. Moreover, the U.S. Fuel Cell Technology market held the largest market share, and the Canada Fuel Cell Technology market was the fastest-growing market in the north america region.

Fuel Cell Technology Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the Fuel Cell Technology market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Fuel Cell Technology industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

The major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, which will spur further market growth for Fuel Cell Technology. With significant market development like new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their  presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the Fuel Cell Technology industry must offer affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the  Fuel Cell Technology industry to benefit customers and expand the market sector. The Fuel Cell Technology market has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. Major fuel cell technology market players, including Fuel Cell Energy, Hydrogenics, Plug Power, Ballard Power Systems, Panasonic Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Doosan Corporation, SFC energy, Plug Power, AFC energy, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

Hydrogenics is a Canadian company that designs, develops, and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell systems and hydrogen generation equipment. The company's products are used in a variety of applications, including material handling, backup power, and transportation. Hydrogenics is also involved in the development of hydrogen fueling stations, which are needed to support the growth of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The company is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario.

Plug Power is an American company that designs, develops, and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell systems for the material handling and transportation markets. The company's products are used in a variety of applications including lift trucks, airport ground support equipment, and delivery vans. Plug Power also provides hydrogen fuel cell systems for backup power and grid support services. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ and is headquartered in Latham, New York.

Key Companies in the Fuel Cell Technology market includes

• Fuel Cell Energy


• Hydrogenics


• Plug Power


• Ballard Power Systems


• Panasonic Corporation


• Toshiba Corporation


• Doosan Corporation


• SFC energy


• Plug Power


• AFC energy among others

Fuel Cell Technology Industry Developments

February, 2023: Honda to start producing new hydrogen fuel cell system co-developed with GM - apan’s Honda Motor Co said it will start producing a new hydrogen fuel cell system jointly developed with General Motors Co this year and gradually step up sales this decade, in a bid to expand its hydrogen business.Honda will target annual sales of around 2,000 units of the new system in the middle of this decade, the company said, aiming to boost that to 60,000 units per year in 2030.

February, 2023: Advent Technologies Announces New Order from the German State of Brandenburg for its Fuel Cell Systems - Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc., an innovation-driven leader in the fuel cell and hydrogen technology sectors, is pleased to announce that it has received a new order from the German State of Brandenburg for its methanol-powered fuel cell systems as part their three-year agreement which was announced in September 2022. The combined value of the Serene fuel cell systems sold to the German State of Brandenburg now totals approximately $1.6 million.Advent’s methanol-powered fuel cell systems have been chosen as the back-up power source for the German State of Brandenburg's BOS digital radio network. The fuel cell systems will replace the diesel-driven emergency power systems at several sites, providing a more sustainable and reliable emergency power supply solution. The installations relating to the earlier order will be commissioned within the next three months, with the full roll-out of installations set to take place throughout 2023.

Oct, 2022: Nikola And Keystate Announce Innovative Hydrogen Supply Collaboration to Support Nikola Fuel Cell Electric VehiclesNikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, and KeyState Natural Gas Synthesis, a clean hydrogen and chemicals production facility under development, are working together to create Pennsylvania's first low-carbon hydrogen production value chain, which includes full integration of commercial carbon capture and storage. The project is intended to represent the transition to lower emissions transportation, chemicals and manufacturing. 

The parties are working towards a definitive agreement to expand the hydrogen supply for Nikola's zero-emissions heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). KeyState plans to supply Nikola with up to 100 tones per day of low carbon hydrogen, which can supply fuel for up to 2,500 Nikola Tre FCEVs and will displace over 51,000,000 gallons of fossil diesel fuel per annum consumed.* Once operational in 2026, the 7,000 plus-acre KeyState site is expected to have the capacity to store the CO2 associated with the hydrogen production and will provide strategic reach and access to premium Mid-Atlantic FCEV markets.

KeyState will also produce ammonia and urea for industrial and transportation markets, in addition to Nikola's hydrogen mobility demand.The KeyState project is expected to integrate carbon capture from high-efficiency autothermal reforming with onsite geological carbon sequestration and onsite close-system sourced natural gas feedstock, all while generating zero-carbon electricity. A true carbon circle will be completed, with the separation of 99% of carbon from the hydrogen in methane and returning this CO2 to deep underground onsite geological storage.

April 2022: German company SFC Energy and FC TecNrgy will manufacture hydrogen and methanol fuel cells in the sub-continent India. The company plans for a manufacturing unit, R&D, and a repair centre in Gurugram, Haryana.

August 2023 (Partnership): Ballard Power Systems, a global leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology for heavy-duty transportation applications, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Ford Trucks to provide a fuel cell system that will enable the latter to build a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle. Under the agreement, Ballard is scheduled to deliver two FCmove-XD 120 kW fuel cell engines to Ford Trucks in 2023.

August 2023 (Collaboration): Deutsche Telekom AG has chosen SFC Energy as the supplier of their mobile transmission towers’ hydrogen fuel cells.

July 2023 (Expansion): A long-term service agreement between FuelCell Energy and Noeul Green Energy has been completed which assures continuous operations of fuel cells and paves the way for greener power generation in Korea.

June 2023 (Partnership): For example, Plug Power collaborated with STEF, Europe's temperature-controlled logistics and transport services provider, on environmentally friendly hydrogen as well as fuel cell solutions for its cold storage distribution centers.

May 2023 (Partnership): Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology announced that it had renewed its Partnership Agreement with GE Power Conversion and would continue working together on developing the marine merchant market’s innovative marine fuel cell solutions.

One such instance was in September 2022 when the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) opened applications for funds worth USD seven billion aimed at establishing H2 hubs across America. These hubs would serve a major role in boosting the US green energy economy. In addition, clean energy investments and job creation will be some of the benefits of these hub programs. This step serves to ensure carbon neutrality by 2050

In July 2021, A purchase order was placed by Tata Motors for fifteen units of Ballard’s seventy kilowatt FCmoveTM-HD systems intended to power zero-emission Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs). By 2022, the company aspires to satisfy this order so as to enable Tata Motors to explore the viability of FCEBs in Faridabad, which is situated within the National Capital Region of India.

In July 2021, In Donghae City, South Korea, Bloom Energy enlisted the help of SK Ecoplant for its utility-scale combined heat and power (CHP) initiative by installing a 4.2 MW solid oxide fuel cell system. The upcoming plant will have about four million mega calories of thermal energy capturing ability via SK eco plant and Power Tower’s heat recovery systems and produce nearly 35000 MWh per year of clean electricity.

Fuel Cell Technology Market Segmentation

Fuel Cell Technology Type Outlook

• PEMFC


• MCFC


• SOFC


• DMFC


• PAF


• Others

Fuel Cell Technology Application Outlook

• Stationary


• Portable


• Transportation

Fuel Cell Technology Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America