Hydrogen Trucks Get a Boost

by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Lawmakers in both parties and chambers hope to reduce heavy trucking emissions, and they view hydrogen as just the ticket to make that happen. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), as well as Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), are introducing the Hydrogen for Trucks Act today in a bid to make heavy duty hydrogen trucks accessible to more users.

The bill would create a DOT grant program to help early adopters shoulder the costs of buying new trucks and establishing fueling stations. Grantees would also have to submit data related to costs, fuel use and reliability to DOT, which would work in consultation with the Energy Department. The bill authorizes $200 million for FY 2023 through 2027 for the program. Read the bill here.

Heavy-duty vehicles make up 23 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, which is itself responsible for the biggest share of the nation’s emissions. Coons and Cornyn introduced three other hydrogen-focused bills last October focused on expanding hydrogen use in shipping and heavy industry, and building out hydrogen infrastructure. Porter and Bilirakis are introducing the shipping-focused bill in the House today. READ MORE