Germany bets on hydrogen to help cut trucking emissions

If, on the other hand, at some point, someone comes up with a very high power, high energy density Li-Ion cell, that does not degrade as quickly as they do now with use, fuell cells and hydrogen will make no sense whatsoever.

Regardless of what happens with fuel cell technology hydrogen will be the fuel of big internal combustion engines used in merchant ships by the end of this decade. The prototype engines and prototype green hydrogen plants are being tested now. That tech will very likely flow down to internal combustion engines used by railroad locomotives, long haul trucks and even heavy off road construction equipment. Whether or not it powers a fuel cell hydrogen is very much one of the most important future transportation fuels.

Fuel cells are grossly inefficient, with well-to-wheel efficiency of less than 40%. That makes them twice as bad as EVs. On the other hand hidrogen tanks are very quickly charged and such vehicles can use high power Li-Ion batteries (not high energy density), which cost less and have a far longer life.

If, on the other hand, at some point, someone comes up with a very high power, high energy density Li-Ion cell, that does not degrade as quickly as they do now with use, fuell cells and hydrogen will make no sense whatsoever.

THAT's why nobody is rushing in either direction.

As to the technology, yes, aim for green and go, go, go!!!

Electricity cost continues to rise.

Hydrogen will probably fall with economy of scale until they have enough customers to start jacking up their prices.

kurisupisuOct. 1  12:57 pm JST

The polluting fumes from heavy trucks are the cause of disease in humans.

The sooner cleaner fuel is used the better

Somebody has to lead the way to a cleaner greener world.

Electric vehicles will be cheaper than internal combustion vehicles in 2040?

Production costs of certain components will fall as production and experience increase (learning and rate curve theory). Most importantly fuel costs, a primary cost of transportation will fall as output increases. Economies of scale.

Electric vehicles will be cheaper than internal combustion vehicles in 2040?

This is breakthrough technology. Clean hydrogen made using wind, solar and hydro power is coming sooner than most think, driven by the needs of the maritime industry who seek to use green hydrogen to power modified versions of existing big diesels in merchant ships. Such engines are being tested right now and pilot plants to produce the necessary hydrogen are also coming on line in Europe especially but also in Louisiana.

The polluting fumes from heavy trucks are the cause of disease in humans.

The sooner cleaner fuel is used the better