[ column ]
Hydrogen is the diesel killer
By Chris Tully
I am calling it now : hydrogen is the diesel killer . In the quest to decarbonize the transportation industry through electrification , passenger cars can rely on batteries . However , the trucking industry requires a more robust alternative , and hydrogen fuel cells satisfy highuse and heavy-duty equipment requirements . Some industry titans are exploring this scenario by developing hydrogen fuel cell equipment to offer a clean alternative to diesel engines .
Meet the columnist
Chris Tully is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the power and hydrogen fuel cell industries . Chris was an early employee at Valere Power , a startup in the telecom power industry . He also spent time with General Electric in Texas before joining Plug Power as the Vice President of Sales in 2014 . At Plug , Chris was involved with all aspects of the hydrogen ecosystem , including fuel cells , service , infrastructure , and the hydrogen molecule . Chris lives in Richmond , Virginia , and is currently an independent consultant and founder of ANDnotOR . info . You can follow Chris on LinkedIn at www . linkedin . com / in / chris-tully-andnotor .
The environmental and sustainability benefits are visibly clear . Replacing diesel engines with fuel cells eliminates the CO 2 and NOx exhaust , while also providing the torque required for the job . Think of a dump truck accelerating from a stop light without all the black smoke . Fuel cells , powered by green hydrogen , emit only water from the tailpipe .
I understand the resistance from electric vehicle supporters . Battery electric vehicles ( BEV ) are more efficient , and making hydrogen requires three times the energy . Additionally , fuel cell electric vehicles ( FCEVs ) cost twice as much as BEVs . Why not just use a BEV ? Missing from this line of thinking is the way the end user operates . Multiple dynamics factor into a business case beyond the price of the equipment and the energy required for it to run . The expense of labor for drivers , the cost of lost productivity with idle equipment , and the loss of revenue and customer loyalty due to late deliveries must all be quantified and included in any financial analysis .
Yes , a case can be made for using hydrogen in passenger vehicles , but I see EVs as the superior choice for typical consumers . Home charging at night provides most vehicles with the power needed for a typical driver without experiencing any range anxiety . Long trips require some planning , which will become easier as the charging infrastructure expands . One could also opt for a hybrid if driving patterns make the EV untenable .
However , EVs are not the answer for high-use and heavy-duty equipment because batteries have limited range , reduced available payloads , and longer recharging times . Heavy-duty trucks that tow extreme weights or carry heavy loads need an exceptional power source with rapid refueling . To electrify that market , hydrogen is the superior choice .
26 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 15 | April 2024