Economics

Total Unconvinced by Hydrogen Cars as France Unveils Subsidies

  • Government to spend $117 million by 2023 on hydrogen vehicles
  • Total CEO says hydrogen power one step behind electric battery
Photographer: George Osodi/Bloomberg
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France’s biggest energy company expressed skepticism about the economics of hydrogen-powered vehicles as the government unveiled subsidies to promote the gas as way of cutting fossil-fuel consumption and fighting climate change.

“We find it difficult to be convinced it has a future in 10 years time,” Total SA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said in an interview with local daily Ouest France published on Friday. “This is still very expensive.”