Automakers Shift Hydrogen Focus From Cars to Semis Hydrogen-Powered Big Rigs Would Emit No Pollutants—Just Water Vapor.

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October 27, 2020

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(NACS) Automakers have spent decades developing hydrogen fuel cells as a sustainable alternative for use in cars. But now, they’re turning their attention to semi-trucks, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Fuel cells draw hydrogen gas from tanks on board the truck, mix it with oxygen and convert it to electricity, which drives the vehicle’s motor. This process eliminates the need to store power in heavy stacks of batteries, and it releases only water vapor into the atmosphere. With the availability of hydrogen fuel, trucks could stay on the road for days, which would be a big advantage for trucks that travel long distances and need to refuel quickly.

Europe and other regions have toughened regulations about emissions, and fleet operators want to cut their pollution risk by replacing their diesel trucks. A new California law, for example, will require commercial-truck sellers to include at least some zero-emission models by 2024. “It’s clear that hydrogen fuel-cell trucks are needed,” said Andrew Lund, chief engineer for the technology, Toyota. “They provide technical solutions that other technologies cannot meet in the long run.”

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Originally, General Motors envisioned fuel cells as the primary technology for moving consumers to emission-free cars. However, the expense of the vehicles and the many stations required for convenient refueling have thwarted those efforts. Today, there are only three fuel-cell car models on sale in the U.S. from mainstream automakers—Toyota, Hyundai and Honda. In 2019, sales of these three totaled around 2,000 units, which is less than the average number of Ford F-150 pickup trucks sold in a single day. Meanwhile, the performance and durability of hydrogen-powered trucks remains unknown.

To establish hydrogen as a viable alternative, trucking companies and their customers likely will have to accept higher costs for moving freight, according to Amy Davis, president of the new power business unit for engine maker Cummins, an Indiana engines and company. Still, advancements in hydrogen technology with an emphasis on heavy-duty trucks instead of cars is beginning to make fuel-cell vehicles a reality, reports USA Today. READ MORE

Auto Makers Shift Their Hydrogen Focus to Big Rigs — GM, Toyota, Hyundai pivot fuel-cell efforts after years of developing the technology for smaller vehicles, with little success (Wall Street Journal)

Why the next truck you see may be a quiet, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell rig (USA Today)

Hydrogen Train (USA Today/EuroNews Now; includes VIDEO)

Are hydrogen fuel cell vehicles the future of autos? California is the only state that currently sells FCEVs. (ABC News)

Why We Still Can’t Deliver on the Promise of Hydrogen Cars: 2020 is a big year for battery EVs, but there are many reasons hydrogen fuel cells will never live up to their promise. (The Drive)

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