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He added that the “ truck seems to have good power and acceleration while being well balanced .”
The lack of hydrogen stations has commonly been cited as a concern for adoption of fuel cell trucks . Shell recently shut down its public hydrogen stations in California , but 75 operational stations remain . Ironically , Hall does not share that apprehension , as stations along his standard drayage routes provide ample refueling opportunities .
The trepidation regarding insufficient refueling locations extends to other parts of the world as well . According to Fuel Cell Works , at the end of 2023 , there were only 265 hydrogen stations across all of Europe , with almost half of these located in Germany . South Korea leads Asian countries with 174 active stations .
Inadequate refueling infrastructure may not truly be a widespread issue , as many potential FCEV fleets are tethered or captive . Garbage trucks and delivery vans are a great example ; the trucks complete their regular routes and return to the same depot every day , so one station can fuel the entire fleet . With captive fleets , like mining sites , the equipment does not leave the location , so all the equipment also can refuel at a single station . GM partnered with Komatsu to design a mining truck to replace diesel power mining equipment . The company chose fuel cell technology over battery electric because it is lighter , provides longer run times , and is quicker to refuel .
Over-the-road trucks use a network of nationwide truck stops , so incorporating hydrogen refueling at these locations is a natural fit . A federal grant will fund the installation of five hydrogen stations at truck stops in Texas . Drayage trucks , like the fleets at IMC and Coyote Container , regularly travel the same routes and visit only a few sites , again reducing the number of public hydrogen stations required .
Plug Power recently announced the release of a mobile refueler capable of fueling Class 8 trucks . The high-capacity trailer will transport 1,500 kg of liquid hydrogen . The molecule is vaporized into a gas and compressed for dispensing into vehicles at 350 or 700 bar , the automotive standard for high capacity fueling . Since the unit transports hydrogen as a liquid instead of a gas , Plug can reduce the number of trailers needed for a fleet because of the energy density . Liquid trailers can store up to six times the hydrogen as gaseous trailers . This mobile refueler provides a bridge for fueling capabilities for pilot programs and small fleets . When end users add trucks , it is easier to justify the expense of a permanent refueling infrastructure .
The great energy transition moves slowly and deliberately . Fossil fuel use will not cease overnight , especially in transportation , and no technology can be considered a panacea . As the trucking and heavy-duty equipment industries transition to cleaner forms of energy , hydrogen fuel cells will emerge as the right tool for the right application .
28 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 15 | April 2024