What is a significant disadvantage of hydrogen fuel compared to petrol?

Hydrogen storage and transport being difficult is a significant disadvantage of hydrogen fuel compared to petrol. Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, but this also presents challenges. Its low density means that to store sufficient amounts for practical use, it must either be compressed to very high pressures or liquefied at extremely low temperatures. Both processes require considerable energy and sophisticated technology, making the overall logistics of hydrogen more complex than those of petrol, which is relatively easy to store and transport in liquid form.

Additionally, the infrastructure for distributing hydrogen is not as developed as that for oil and petrol, which has been established over many years. Transporting hydrogen safely and efficiently poses challenges due to its flammability and the tendency of hydrogen to embrittle certain materials, requiring specialized tanks and pipelines. This complexity adds to the cost and can limit hydrogen's practicality as a widespread alternative fuel source compared to petrol.