The race to find alternatives to traditional electric cars has just added a new chapter in China. Deepal, the premium brand of the Changan group, has officially begun the marketing of its first hydrogen powered vehicle, a technology that until recently seemed reserved almost exclusively for buses, trucks,and heavy transport.

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The presentation was held in the middle of the Beijing Auto Show and quickly drawn attention because the company decided to apply this system to a family sedan, moving from the in commercial jib that usually has this type of engine. The movement also makes clear that several Chinese automotive makers want to explore paths other than conventional batteries.

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According to the brand, this new model promises a range of 700 kilometers under the Chinese CLTC cycle, in addition to considerably faster charging times compared to many current electric vehicles.

A project that seeks to open a path

The system initially debuted in the Deepal SL03, a sedan that now becomes one of the few hydrogen cars developed by a Chinese firm for the passenger market.

During the official presentation, Yu Cheng, general director of Global Product Development of Deepal, highlighted the level of advancement achieved by the company. “The fuel cell system d "The company's first generation is now available for sale. Our measurements show that its performance exceeds industry standards by more than 10%," the executive said.

The brand also confirmed that it already works on a second generation of this technology. The goal is to improve overall efficiency and, above all, reduce production costs p to make it more accessible in the coming years. According to the company's plans, the new fuel cells and storage systems should arrive around 2027.

Hydrogen starts to gain space

Although it remains a minority technology compared to battery electrics, hydrogen is beginning to show signs of growth in China. Media Reports special lized ensure that there are currently circulating more than 30,000 hydrogen vehicles in that country, with a significant percentage of locally-developed components.

Until now, the majority focused on commercial fleets, especially trucks and buses. However, Deepal wants to take advantage of that infrastructure to open up space in the private car segment.

The figures show that it is still a small market, although growing. Deepal marketed 31,742 vehicles in March within the market Chinese ado, recording an increase of 69.4%. In parallel, during that same month barely 100 hydrogen vehicles were sold among all brands.

Even so, the picture changes when you look at the year-to-date. In all of 2025, 8,154 hydrogen-powered units were delivered in China, which represented an increase of 41% compared to the previous period.

How does a hydrogen car work?

The main difference to a conventional electric vehicle is in the way it obtains energy. While a traditional electric ne needs to be connected directly to an external source to recharge its batteries, a hydrogen car generates electricity on its own while driving.

The system uses hydrogen stored in pressurized tanks and combines it with oxygen inside a fuel cell. From that chemical reaction, the electricity that powers the electric motors is produced.

Thanks to this process, the vehicle can offer long ranges and much faster refueling than those of a traditional electric, two points that today remain key for many drivers.