Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Trucking
Hydrogen is an important tool for reducing emissions from many types of heavy-duty trucks, and hydrogen fuel cells (FCEVs) are one of the most efficient ways to use it as a fuel. Fuel cells are about 20% more efficient than internal combustion engines, such that 1 kilogram of hydrogen is equivalent to 1.28 gallons of diesel. Using hydrogen in fuels cells is also more energy efficient than using it to synthesize a hydrocarbon to combust in a traditional engine. For heavy-duty, long-haul trucking operations – and potentially some short-haul work like drayage, where minimizing downtime is important – hydrogen has gained traction as a useful alternative to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Analysis of the California trucking market by the UC Davis Institute for Transportation supports this conclusion, projecting that 35% of drayage trips, and approximately 60% of long-haul trips will be served by FCEVs in 2045.
To successfully fill this role, hydrogen needs to achieve price parity with diesel for FCEVs to positively affect decarbonization efforts, which is around $4-$5/kg of hydrogen if diesel is $3-$4 a gallon. If that occurs, FCEVs could play a key part in decarbonizing the trucking sector – even in scenarios where the majority of truck emissions are mitigated by BEV adoption. However, like much of the broader clean energy tech industry, hydrogen FCEVs are currently facing significant challenges that will need to be overcome, including slow or delayed infrastructure rollout, the cost of hydrogen, and maintenance issues affecting uptime at fueling stations.
Taking all of this into account, a recent survey conducted for CATF of key stakeholders in the trucking industry indicated some emerging consensus around the role and development of hydrogen-based trucking.
