Stellantis said it would end efforts to develop hydrogen vehicles as it focuses its resources on electric cars and hybrids to meet EU’s tougher emissions standards.

Hydrogen's main selling point is that it's faster to fill a tank with the stuff than it is to recharge a lithium-ion battery. So it's a seductive alternative that suggests a driver can keep all the convenience of their gasoline engine with none of the climate change-causing side effects. But in reality, that's pretty far from true.

Carmaker Stellantis said on Wednesday it would discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology programme and no longer launch hydrogen-powered vehicles this year, raising questions about the future of hydrogen subsidiary Symbio.