> So it's interesting that you think they have a short term advantage.

I think you missed this part ", if they solve the cost of the fuel cell itself. "

Until they solve the high cost of the fuel cell, no, they don't have an advantage at all. But I feel like it's reasonable to assume that it can be solved.

That is, I want to give hydrogen the benefit of doubt, but even then I see issues.

AFAIK even if the fuel cell was free it would still not be competitive. The reason being that you need 2-3x more electrical energy to get the same kinetiv energy if you store it in hydrogen rather than lithium based batteries. There goes the entire price advantage you have over gasoline cars - in order to get the mass market it needs to be cheaper both upfront and to run it, which only batteries can achieve, safe some revolutionary new way to convert electricity to hydrogen.

There could be niche usecases though, such as long range trucks or buses - if energy density is more important than fuel cost.

I would love to get some kind of hybrid vehicle. But I really want to talk to someone who has had one for a period of time, in the real world, before I commit to it. I have no clue what maintenance is like, or more importantly costs. Can you replace components, or do you have to buy entire assemblies when something breaks?

Most if not all of the EV car manufacturers offer long warranties. Components are replaced. The better companies like Telsa do recalls over efficiency improvements, and over the air software upgrades.