#Hydrogen has not yet arrived in the #commercial vehicle sector. However, alongside the many challenges, there are immense benefits for #H2 in the #truck sector
The use of hydrogen drives in heavy goods transport is increasingly becoming the focus of the automotive industry and politicians. While electric drives are already established in the passenger car sector in particular, hydrogen drives are a promising alternative for heavy goods vehicles, especially
for trucks and commercial vehicles that have to cover long distances and transport high payloads.
Challenges and hurdles
However, the path to series production of hydrogen drives is fraught with challenges. One of the main problems is that the infrastructure of hydrogen filling stations is not yet comprehensive. There are currently only a few filling stations in Europe that are suitable for trucks, and the expansion of this infrastructure is cost-intensive and time-consuming. The investment costs for setting up hydrogen filling stations are high, which makes many potential operators hesitant. Another obstacle is the production of green hydrogen. Currently, a large proportion of hydrogencomes from fossil sources, which greatly reduces the environmental footprint of this type of drive. To be truly climate-neutral, hydrogen must be produced by electrolysis using renewable energies. However, this requires a significant increase in renewable energy production capacities and an optimization of electrolysis technology. The cost of hydrogen-powered vehicles is also still a major issue. Although the operating costs are comparatively low due to the lower maintenance requirements, the acquisition costs are currently significantly higher than those of diesel trucks. Scaling also plays a role here: costs can only fall as production increases.
Opportunities and possibilities
Despite these challenges, hydrogen-powered trucks offer considerable opportunities for the future. Hydrogen enables virtually emission-free mobility, especially if it is produced from renewable sources. Compared to battery-powered electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles have the advantage of a longer range and a significantly shorter refueling time, which makes them ideal for heavy-duty transport.
In addition, hydrogen propulsion could contribute to the diversification of energy sources in
transportation and thus further reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In particular, countries that have large capacities of renewable energy could use hydrogen propulsion to store and transport this energy efficiently.
Pioneers and pilot projects
Companies such as Daimler Truck, Volvo and Hyundai are among the pioneers in the development of hydrogen-powered trucks. Daimler Truck and Volvo have driven forward the development of fuel cell technologies as part of their Cellcentric joint venture and are aiming to bring this technology into series production by the end of the decade. Hyundai already has a hydrogen truck in practical use, the XCIENT Fuel Cell, which is being successfully tested in several pilot projects in Switzerland.
Another notable pilot project is H2Haul in Europe, which is investigating the use of fuel cell trucks invarious countries. These projects are crucial for testing the technology under real-life conditions and identifying necessary improvements.
The expansion of hydrogen filling stations
A decisive factor for the success of hydrogen drives in the truck segment is the expansion of hydrogen filling stations. In Germany and other European countries, there are already initiatives to establish a nationwide network of filling stations. The company H2 Mobility Deutschland is an important player that is driving forward the development of a hydrogen infrastructure. However, the network still needs to be significantly expanded in order to meet the requirements of heavy goods vehicles.
What it takes for a breakthrough
Several steps are required for hydrogen drives to successfully go into series production in the truck sector. Firstly, the production of green hydrogen must be scaled up to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source. In addition, a massive expansion of the filling station infrastructure is necessary so that trucks can also be refueled reliably over long distances. Political support is also needed: subsidies for the purchase of hydrogen trucks and investment in research can help to bring the technology to market maturity more quickly. An internationally coordinated framework could also ensure that the expansion of the infrastructure and the development of the technology go hand in hand.
Hydrogen-powered trucks are currently still a niche application, but there are initial commercial applications and pilot projects around the world that demonstrate the potential of this technology. Current number of hydrogen trucks (as of 2024):
Worldwide: By 2024, it is estimated that around 4,000 to 5,000 hydrogen-powered trucks will be in use worldwide. Most of these vehicles are involved in pilot projects, particularly in countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, the USA and some European countries.
Europe: Around 500 to 700 hydrogen-powered trucks are on the road in Europe, with countries such as Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands leading the way. Switzerland has the largest fleet with the Hyundai XCIENT project, while in Germany projects such as H2Haul are laying important foundations.
Germany: There are currently only around 100 to 150 hydrogen-powered trucks in Germany, mainly in pilot projects and as part of funding programs. However, the number is steadily increasing as the infrastructure and political framework conditions are improved.
Forecasts for 2030:
Worldwide: The global number of hydrogen-powered trucks is expected to rise to over 150,000 to 200,000 vehicles by 2030. Strong growth is expected particularly in Asia (China, Japan and South Korea) as well as in the USA and Europe.
Europe: In Europe, the number of hydrogen-powered trucks could rise to around 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles by 2030. The EU has ambitious targets for reducing CO₂ emissions in the transport sector and is promoting hydrogen as one of the key technologies.
Germany: A fleet of around 10,000 to 15,000 hydrogen-powered trucks is forecast for Germany by 2030. However, this depends heavily on the further development of the infrastructure and political framework conditions.
Conclusion
Forecasts show strong growth for hydrogen propulsion in the truck sector, both worldwide and in Europe and Germany. The next few years are crucial for the breakthrough of this technology, especially if the infrastructure for hydrogen refueling stations and the production of green hydrogen is further expanded. By 2030, hydrogen propulsion could play a significant role in heavy goods transport, especially in combination with political measures to promote zero-emission drives. The hydrogen drive in the truck sector has the potential to fundamentally change heavy goods transport. With its long range, short refueling time and the possibility of zero-emission driving, it could play a key role in the decarbonization of the transport sector. But to fully exploit this potential, there are still
many hurdles to overcome - from expanding infrastructure to reducing costs and ensuring the sustainability of hydrogen production. The coming years will be decisive in determining whether hydrogen propulsion will actually bring the desired revolution to the truck sector.
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