The Future of Hydrogen Mobility for Heavy-Duty Transport

Renewable Energy / April 27, 2023

The heavy-duty mobility and transport sector is a linchpin for various industries, such as transportation, logistics, construction, and mining.

Whether it’s trains, planes, ships, or trucks, these massive vehicles are the conduits to a thriving global commerce. However, in doing so, they also generate significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to climate change.

As the world strives to achieve the ambitious 2050 net-zero target outlined in the Paris Climate Accords, every industry must undergo transformative changes.

The heavy-duty transport sector is the largest consumer of fossil fuels and accounts for 37% of all CO2 emissions from end-use sectors. As such, it’s ripe for innovation and can play a pivotal role in the global effort to combat climate change.

One promising solution for the heavy-duty mobility and transport sector is hydrogen mobility—a clean and renewable energy source that has the potential to revolutionize transport, transforming hopeful sustainability targets into feasible goals.

Table of Contents

How do hydrogen-powered engines compare to combustion engines?
Advantages of hydrogen mobility
Trends in hydrogen mobility and their potential impacts
Innovations and solutions promoting hydrogen adoption
Ushering in the hydrogen mobility future

How Do Hydrogen-Powered Engines Compare to Combustion Engines?

Conventional internal combustion engines utilize fossil fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, to generate heat within the engine's cylinders. This heat causes pistons to move up and down, rotating the crankshaft that powers the vehicle’s movement. During this combustion process, GHGs are released as exhaust.

Hydrogen internal combustion engines operate similarly to their traditional counterparts, but with a key distinction: rather than burning gasoline or diesel, these engines are powered by liquid hydrogen gas, the world’s most abundant element. And that makes a massive difference in their emissions outputs.

Since hydrogen is carbon-free, heavy-duty transport that utilizes hydrogen for mobility would not emit carbon emissions. Instead, the primary combustible byproduct would be environmentally-friendly water vapor (H2O). In addition to hydrogen internal combustion engines, some engines use hydrogen to power an electric motor.

While these represent a newly emerging technology, they could be the missing piece to the renewable energy puzzle. As Matthias Rebellius writes in Forbes, hydrogen “is an energy carrier and storage medium. As a key element of a sustainable energy system, it makes an equally important contribution to the energy transition for industrial processes and mobility solutions.”

Advantages of Hydrogen Mobility

Aside from zero-emissions, what are the potential benefits of hydrogen mobility, especially compared to alternative fuels such as electric or natural gas?

High Energy Density

Compared to natural gas and electric batteries, hydrogen has a significantly higher energy density by weight, translating to longer ranges and operating times.

Faster Fueling

A major gripe with EVs is the slow recharge times. According to McKinsey, “hydrogen vehicles fuel up relatively quickly—about 15 times faster than battery-powered EVs that use so-called fast-charging technology.”

Familiarity

Hydrogen fuel more closely replicates the traditional transportation fuel consumer experience in terms of refueling, range, and performance, providing a more convenient transition for users as they switch to cleaner energy sources.

Happier Owner-Drivers

For transportation fleet managers and owner-operators, investing in hydrogen mobility can enhance performance and reduce total lifecycle costs that maximize the vehicle’s utility.

Energy Storage Potential

One of the major disadvantages of clean energy like solar and wind is that energy surplus can’t be stored for long. Hydrogen, on the other hand, can be stored and transported more efficiently, making it a promising solution for large-scale energy storage and distribution.

Applicability for Heavy-Duty Transport

Because they’re smaller and more powerful, hydrogen fuel cells are better suited for heavy-duty vehicles than the much bulkier batteries needed for a heavy-duty EV.

Renewable Production

Hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, or hydropower, possibly addressing many of the inherent shortcomings associated with storage and transport.

Trends in Hydrogen Mobility And Their Potential Impacts

In recent decades, fuel cell technology and storage systems have rapidly advanced, propelling hydrogen mobility solutions to the forefront. For example:

Fuel cell technologies have become more efficient with higher energy density, increasing vehicle ranges.
High-pressure hydrogen storage systems make it possible to store more hydrogen fuel in a compact space.
The development of hydrogen fueling stations and hydrogen powering stations, infrastructure, and distribution networks are being established across the country. These developments are far less capital and space intensive than EV fast charging stations.

In light of this exponential growth and development, it’s little wonder why there’s growing interest and investment from both the government and private sectors.

But what are the implications of these advancements for the future of heavy-duty mobility?

Implications for the Future of Heavy-Duty Mobility

For one, hydrogen fuel has the potential to create new jobs and industries related to hydrogen production, distribution, and servicing. This shift also promotes energy security and reduces domestic dependence on fossil fuels. Furthermore, decentralized and on-site hydrogen production can be a game-changer, ultimately minimizing reliance on centralized fuel sources altogether.

As for the vehicles themselves, the numerous advantages of hydrogen fuel offer a competitive edge. Heavy-duty hydrogen-powered transport vehicles can operate more efficiently, enjoy extended operating times, and incur lower costs, all while emitting zero harmful emissions.

Such tangible benefits, alongside ongoing technological advancements, signify a bright future for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty mobility.

Innovations and Solutions Promoting Hydrogen Adoption

Balancing economic, environmental, and social considerations is essential to ensure the sustainability and acceptance of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source. To that end, three key factors are likely to drive hydrogen adoption onward:

Government – Both now and in the future, federal regulations and incentives will play an essential role in encouraging alternative fuel adoption by providing financial support, setting emission standards and creating conducive policies.
Infrastructure investment – Private and public infrastructure investments, such as distribution networks and refueling systems, will be vital for widespread adoption. Without ready access, the appeal of hydrogen will be hamstrung.
Collaborations and partnerships – In the private sector, interested parties can collaborate to accelerate innovation and adoption, share expertise, and ultimately lower costs.

Ushering In the Hydrogen Mobility Future

Hydrogen mobility represents the future of heavy-duty transport. It is the hope for net zero.

At FASTECH, we’re at the forefront of this revolution, championing a greener, cleaner, and cheaper tomorrow. As an industry-leading provider of end-to-end hydrogen solutions, we have successfully constructed over 30 hydrogen stations for top corporations and energy providers.

Our expertise spans testing and compliance, construction, maintenance, and consulting, making us the ideal partner for your hydrogen mobility journey. Let us join forces and drive towards a sustainable, innovative carbon-free future in heavy-duty transportation together.