Hydrogen cars can now be sold in the US, with new safety rules for fuel tanks

The US government has set new safety rules for hydrogen-powered vehicles. This means car manufacturers can now sell hydrogen cars in the US, knowing they meet federal safety standards for fuel systems and storage tanks.

For years, hydrogen vehicles faced a chicken-and-egg problem in the US: no clear federal safety standards meant manufacturers were hesitant to sell them, which in turn meant little infrastructure developed. These new rules remove a major regulatory hurdle. It means hydrogen cars can now compete with electric vehicles and traditional gasoline cars on a level playing field for safety certification.