Transportation
Hydrogen can be used in a variety of transportation modes on land, sea, and air. Imagine a car, SUV, or truck that performs like a conventional vehicle, a fuel tank that can be filled up in three to five minutes, and emits zero emissions except for water vapor – that’s today’s fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
Hydrogen Transportation
Hydrogen and fuel cells offer a compelling option for zero-emission transportation on land, sea, and air. For transportation, there are many benefits with hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), including long range, quick refueling, and scalability to meet any power need. Fuel cells are already being used today to power a wide range of vehicles, including light-, medium-, and heavy-duty cars, trucks, buses, and delivery vans; material handling and logistics equipment; locomotives; airplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles; and marine vessels.
FCEVs do not produce any tailpipe emissions except water vapor. In addition, compared to internal combustion vehicles, FCEVs greatly reduce greenhouse gas carbon emissions even when accounting for the full hydrogen fuel life cycle. When using hydrogen generated from solar or wind electrolysis, total life cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are eliminated completely.
Hydrogen can also be used in many transportation applications as low-emission fuel in internal combustion engines (ICEs). Using hydrogen in ICEs provides a lower cost pathway for fleets to adopt hydrogen technologies while growing the necessary infrastructure and fueling stations for fuel cell electric vehicles.
Hydrogen Bonds
A growing hydrogen economy supports a vast and expanding network of U.S. companies with existing expertise in energy production and advanced manufacturing, as well as a growing class of energy disrupters.
Hydrogen Transportation Applications
Fuel Cell Buses
Several dozen fuel cell buses are operating in cities across the country, providing clean and reliable transportation alternatives for commuters. Producing no emissions, fuel cell buses are attractive options for urban areas, operating quietly and reducing maintenance costs. Fuel cell buses also demonstrate advantages operating in extreme temperatures, especially over battery-powered alternatives.
New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE FC Hydrogen Electric Bus, with Ballard Fuel Cell Power Module (Source: Bus Transit – Fuel Cell Electric Buses | Ballard Power)
Heavy-Duty Trucks
Similarly to fuel cell buses, heavy-duty trucks can utilize fuel cells to reduce emissions and provide reliable vehicles for a variety of purposes. Several FCHEA members have commercially available models to decarbonize this hard-to-abate sector.
Medium-Duty Trucks
Fuel cell vehicles are being deployed within larger fleets of delivery and utility vehicles, providing clean and reliable transportation for local networks. Whether the sole power for the vehicle or in combination with batteries, fuel cells operate reliably, refuel quickly, and extend the range of the vehicle over battery-powered vehicles.
Plug Forklift (Source: Plug)
Hyster Fuel Cell Forklift (Source: Infrastructure News)
Material Handling
If you work in a warehouse, you might already be driving a fuel cell vehicle today. Forklifts and other material handling devices have proven to be an ideal market for early adopters of fuel cell powered vehicles. Many major companies are finding that fleets of fuel cell forklifts increase productivity and save money at their warehouses and distribution centers. Check out our Material Handling Fact Sheet for more information.
Commercially available light-duty FCEV models
Toyota Mirai (Source: Car Magazine)
Honda CRV – e:FCEV (Source: Honda Doubles Down on Hydrogen with New Fuel Cell-Powered SUV)
Mining trucks
According to a recent report by McKinsey, the mining industry annually contributes up to 7% of the world’s carbon emissions. Roughly 50% of that comes from the haulage trucks, which are used to transport heavy rocks between different sites. Hydrogen offers a viable alternative to diesel-powered engines, like the 2 megawatt hydrogen – battery hybrid truck developed by FCHEA member Anglo American.
Anglo American Mining Truck (Source: Anglo American)
Aviation
Aviation currently accounts for 2% of global carbon emissions, and hydrogen is emerging as a viable pathway towards meeting industry goals of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Hydrogen fuel cells are projected to power commercial flights in the near future due to their advantage over conventional diesel fuel from a cost, efficiency, and climate perspective. Due to its high energy density, hydrogen provides a robust source of lightweight power that allows air travel without carbon emissions. Hydrogen can be directly burned in a jet engine or another kind of internal combustion engine or used as an input in a fuel cell to power an electric propulsor. For more information, check out our blog post on hydrogen aviation.
Rail Transportation
Fuel cell trains are now operational in many countries, including Germany, Britain, and Canada, with travelers benefiting from the reduction in noise and air pollution from conventional diesel-powered trains. Outside of Germany, deployments of fuel cell trains are scheduled for Japan, South Korea, and the United States. In California, Caltrans recently published its analysis of different zero-emissions rail technologies, with hydrogen trains performing better concerning range and refueling times than their battery-electric counterparts. Hydrogen was also a cheaper option than electrification.
Marine Transportation
Marine vessels of varying sizes are currently testing fuel cells in new capacities on the water. Several ferries around the world have begun hydrogen operations, while larger fuel cell models are being prototyped and examined for container shipping vessels. Proof of concept vessels, like the Energy Observer, are demonstrating the value of fuel cells in marine applications.
Hydrogen Safety
Hydrogen systems are as safe, if not safer, than conventional fuel systems, including gasoline and natural gas. Hydrogen is ubiquitous in the universe. On Earth, hydrogen is a molecule consisting of two atoms and has a propensity to bond with other molecules.
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