Prospects for Hydrogen in the Transport Sector: Economics and Environmental Performance in Different Road Transport Modes

Abstract

The transport sector is one of the largest contributors to the increasing greenhouse gas emissions. It is almost completely based on fossil fuels. Due to the pressing environmental problems, alternative fuels and alternative automotive technologies have been widely supported and promoted over the last years. However, all alternatives that we currently have, have some challenges which have to be solved in the future. Hydrogen, especially green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources, has been recognized as an energy carrier which can significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the transport system. Hydrogen in combination with fuel cell technology could be a good alternative for fossil fuels in different transport modes. However, due to the high costs of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles, as well as due to the need for development of extensive infrastructure, hydrogen is often seen as an energy carrier of the future. Indeed, hydrogen has been seen as an alternative to fossil fuels already decades ago but so far it had not yet delivered. However, although, over the last years a strong research focus was put on battery electric vehicles, they may not be suitable for all transport modes. Hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles have strong advantage by long-distance and heavy-duty vehicles, intercity buses and trucks, but also by shipping and aviation. The major goal of this paper is to analyse recent developments and key barriers to the increasing use of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles in different road transport modes with a special focus on their economic and technical performance, environmental impact, as well as necessary policy measures. Our method of approach is based on economic and environmental assessment of fuel cell vehicles in comparison to the corresponding conventional fossil-fuelled vehicles. The first results of our analysis show that the costs of fuel cells have already been decreasing and interest in green hydrogen in increasing. With the ban of conventional vehicles, which will start already in 2025 in Norway, and with the current limitations related to the battery electric vehicles, such as short driving ranges and long charging times, fuel cell vehicles could become a viable alternative in some transport modes already in the mid-term. Yet, the future priority is the cost reduction of the fuel cells. The major conclusion is that fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen may provide contributions to the transformation of the transport system. However, in general, the prospects for hydrogen are better for larger vehicles, e.g. buses or tucks. In addition, it is very important to ensure that hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources and that the energy efficiency of the technologies, especially of the fuel cells and the electrolyzers is improved and supported by appropriate policy measures to ensure the transition towards sustainability.