Decarbonizing Long-Haul Heavy Duty Transport Using Hydrogen

Carbon Emissions by Heavy Duty Trucks

According to the International Energy Agency in 2019, the global fleet of trucks consists of 33 million medium freight trucks and 27 million heavy freight trucks, which is significantly smaller than the number of light duty fleet vehicles on the road (around 1 billion vehicles). Nonetheless, trucks are estimated to account for 22% of all transport-related CO2 emissions and 9% of global CO2 emissions.

Pathway to Decarbonize Heavy Duty Transport

Reducing carbon emissions from the heavy duty transport sector requires a shift from diesel-powered engines to low carbon fuels. The choice of fuel is contingent on the vehicle's weight, intended purpose, and expected driving profile. For instance, vehicles that traverse set routes in limited areas are better suited for electrification. Urban delivery vehicles and city buses fall under this category and can be charged at stations along their expected routes. However, for long-haul and heavy duty vehicles, the weight of the electric battery and the long waiting time incurred during charging present major limitations. This end use is where the opportunity for hydrogen-powered heavy trucks presents itself. 

Hydrogen-powered trucks have electric drivetrains and convert hydrogen to electricity to propel the vehicle through the use of fuel cells. These trucks have similar advantages to EVs without incurring the penalty of a higher payload due to heavy batteries, and they have shorter refueling periods. Furthermore, these trucks can handle inclement weather conditions, such as extremely cold temperatures where EVs may struggle. 

To propel the hydrogen trucks, hydrogen needs to be stored on board. This storage is facilitated through pressurized containers. As with EVs, when the stored hydrogen is depleted, these trucks need to be refueled at refueling stations. The fuel economy of hydrogen trucks is influenced by the state in which hydrogen is stored. Hydrogen can be stored either in the gaseous state or as ammonia. 

Barriers to Decarbonization of Heavy Duty Transport

There are several barriers to decarbonization of on-road heavy duty freight transport. Firstly, there is a lack of regulatory incentives. Road freight emissions regulations have historically leaned toward stimulating incremental improvements of diesel engine efficiency, and the incentives provided for alternative technologies are insufficient. Secondly, the infrastructure for alternative technologies is limited. Replacing diesel-powered trucks with hydrogen fuel cells requires ramping up hydrogen refueling infrastructure. 

Hydrogen Trucks 

(Source: Hyzon Motors)

Projects that Target Ramping Up Hydrogen Trucks and Infrastructure

To address the scaling of hydrogen trucks and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, several multiyear research projects have been initiated in North America and Europe. The Alberta Zero Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration will feature the development of long-range fuel cell trucks that will operate between Edmonton and Calgary in Canada, covering a distance of 700 km. Similarly, the H2Haul project aims to develop and deploy 16 fuel cell trucks and provide six hydrogen refueling stations across four countries (France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland) that will lay the foundation for the commercialization of these vehicles during the 2020s. The future of hydrogen-powered trucks will be fueled by stakeholders' ambitions of achieving the same range as gasoline-powered trucks to decarbonize the sector.