Nowhere was the old saying about the constant flux more apt than in the rapidly changing landscape of transportation. With climate change and emissions demanding the reimagining of how societies use energy, hydrogen fuel cells are taking on a radical new meaning. They are cells not just for technology — they promise to make commercial vehicles cleaner, greener, and more resilient.
But what is fuelling this shift? And will hydrogen fuel cells forever transform the transport of goods and people throughout the world?
A New Era of Transportation: The Hydrogen Revolution
For decades, hydrogen fuel cells were touted as the future of renewable energy. But it isn’t until recently, with growing pressure to decarbonise the sectors, that their promise has started to manifest. In contrast to internal combustion engines, which consume fossil fuel and generate carbon monoxide, hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen — leaving just water vapour.
This green energy technology holds immense promise for the commercial vehicle market, which accounts for a significant share of global carbon emissions. From heavy-duty trucks to urban couriers, hydrogen fuel cells may be the answer to zero-emission and low-carbon transport without sacrificing efficiency or performance.
India’s Push for Green Hydrogen: The National Hydrogen Mission
In August 2021, India announced the National Hydrogen Mission, indicating it intends to increase green hydrogen production and integrate it in several industries, including transport. This mission would use the country’s vast solar energy reserves to generate hydrogen using renewable electrolysis, which converts water to hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.
Green hydrogen is a much cleaner version of “blue” hydrogen – sourced from natural gas via carbon capture and storage (CCS). Blue hydrogen is an interim option, but green hydrogen provides the clean path to zero emissions. India’s commitment to a hydrogen ecosystem is in sync with international efforts to decarbonise the transport sector.
Understanding the Economics of Hydrogen Fuel
- In Commercial Transportation: the future of hydrogen fuel cells depends on the profitability of hydrogen production, storage and use. Hydrogen needs to be less expensive to use per capita to compete with fossil fuels. It is influenced by four major variables.
- Production Cost: Green hydrogen is more expensive than blue hydrogen, since renewable electricity and electrolysis are expensive. But these prices are likely to decline dramatically by 2050 thanks to technological improvements and economies of scale.
- Transport Cost: Transporting hydrogen from the factory to a gas station increases the cost of the product. Pipeline transport, compared to road transport, is expected to be six times cheaper by 2050 because of the capacity increase in infrastructure.
- Fueling Infrastructure Cost: There are huge upfront costs involved in setting up hydrogen fueling stations. Early stage government policies and private-sector partnerships are the key to constructing this infrastructure and ultimately lowering costs.
- Tariffs and Taxes: Policymakers will need to strike a healthy balance between incentivizing green hydrogen use and fair pricing for consumers.
Case Studies: Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi
A recent study investigated the at-the-pump prices of hydrogen in three Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The paper investigated the ability of green and blue hydrogen to power the transport industry. Results revealed that:
As of 2030, green hydrogen costs approximately 1.5 times more than blue hydrogen.
The gap closes dramatically by 2050 as green hydrogen becomes competitive with falling prices for solar electricity and electrolysis, along with increasing natural gas prices.
Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Commercial Transportation
The results highlight the necessity for investing in hydrogen infrastructure early on in order to achieve economies of scale and make green hydrogen a commercially acceptable transport fuel.
- Distance: Hydrogen-electric vehicles travel as far as diesel trucks, making them ideally suited for long-distance drives.
- Faster Refueling: In contrast to battery electric cars that require a significant amount of time to charge, hydrogen fuel cells can be recharged in minutes, thereby decreasing the operational time.
- High Payload Capacity: Hydrogen systems are thinner than battery packs, allowing the vehicles to carry greater weight without sacrificing performance.
Potential for Decarbonization: By using hydrogen fuel cells, the transportation industry could achieve net-zero emissions and meet planetary climate targets..
Challenges on the Road Ahead
Despite their promise, hydrogen fuel cells face several challenges that must be addressed for widespread adoption:
- High Initial Costs: The production and distribution of hydrogen remain costly, necessitating subsidies and incentives to encourage adoption.
- Infrastructure Gaps: The lack of hydrogen fueling stations is a major barrier. Building a robust network of refueling stations will require coordinated efforts between governments and private players.
- Energy Efficiency: Critics argue that hydrogen fuel cells are less energy-efficient than battery-electric vehicles, as hydrogen production involves energy losses.
- Public Awareness: Educating fleet operators and the general public about the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells is essential to overcome resistance to change.
Global Trends in Hydrogen Adoption
India is not alone in its pursuit of hydrogen as a transportation fuel. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Germany are leading the charge, with ambitious hydrogen strategies and substantial investments in research and development. For instance:
- Japan has been a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, with Toyota leading the way in developing hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- South Korea aims to have 200,000 hydrogen vehicles on its roads by 2025 and plans to establish a nationwide hydrogen fueling network.
- Germany is investing heavily in hydrogen infrastructure and aims to become a global leader in green hydrogen production.
These global efforts underline the growing recognition of hydrogen as a cornerstone of sustainable transportation.
The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells in India
India’s journey toward hydrogen adoption will require a multi-faceted approach:
- Policy Support: Governments must introduce incentives, tax breaks, and subsidies to lower the cost of hydrogen production and fuel cell vehicles.
- Private Sector Collaboration: Partnerships between automakers, energy companies, and technology providers can accelerate the development of hydrogen ecosystems.
- R&D Investments: Advancements in hydrogen storage, fuel cell efficiency, and renewable electrolysis are crucial to driving down costs.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative efforts can bridge the gap between infrastructure development and consumer adoption.
A Sustainable Path Forward
Hydrogen fuel cells are not merely a technology, they’re a crucial first step to a green future for commercial vehicles. India and the world can reduce their fossil fuel dependence, maintain air quality, and address climate change by embracing this clean energy technology.
With each passing day, the vision of a zero-emission transportation industry is getting closer to reality. As long as investments and regulations were followed properly, hydrogen fuel cells would soon power the vans, buses and fleets that run the wheels of commerce.
