Is Hydrogen Fuel The Answer For Heavy Freight?

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Hydrogen fuel and heavy-duty transport is this the answer we are looking for? According to Fleetpoint, Viritech is paving the way for this type of fuel source in the UK and they believe that it will set them ahead of those that focus on battery technology.

Although it has not taken off just yet, most companies understand the potential of hydrogen fuel in heavy-duty transport and how it can help make commercial vehicles greener. Starting in 2025, heavy-duty vehicles are getting stricter limitations set on CO2 emissions. So what does this mean for your business and is it a solution? It could be a potential solution. Here’s more information about this type of fuel source and how it could change the industry.

Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen fuel has been used to send rockets into space since the 1950s, but now that the talk about putting it into commercial and heavy-duty trucks is going around, more businesses are interested in what it is and how it can help.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity when they combine hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen comes from one tank built into the FACE and it reacts with oxygen which comes from ambient air across the electrochemical cell. This produces electricity, water, and heat. The electricity powers a motor, and the water and heat are eliminated as the only by-product from a truck’s tailpipe as a water vapor.
No CO2 or other harmful emissions are produced when using hydrogen fuel, unlike gasoline or diesel combustion engines. The only emissions from using the hydrogen fuel from an FCEV are water vapor, and then a heavy-duty truck can be considered a zero-emission vehicle.

How Hydrogen Fuel Helps

With the EU mandating that it is 2025, a cut of 15% is required in CO2 emissions, and by 2030 the emissions have to be cut by 30%. You might be trying to figure out the best answer for your company and your heavy-duty vehicles. The CO2 emissions are higher in heavy-duty vehicles due to the power needed to pull heavy loads and the vast distances these vehicles cover. Hydrogen fuel is an essential piece for your company and the new emissions mandates.
If you have big trucks that are carrying heavy loads for long trips, then hydrogen fuel cells are more economically viable for you than EVs. This is primarily due to the time it takes to refuel an FCEV versus the time it takes to charge an EV. When you compare the downtime of charging an EV vehicle for hours against the minutes it takes to refuel with hydrogen fuel, you have a winner. When you have a time-critical shipping load, this can make a significant impact on your fleet.
The Energy Transition Outlook Report anticipates that 5-13% of heavy goods vehicles will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells by the year 2050. Helping businesses save money, save time and comply with the new mandates.

The Future of Hydrogen Fuel

Some believe that hydrogen fuel is genuinely the future fuel, especially in the heavy-duty transport industry. When we say time is money, this is especially clear in our sector; after all fuel and labor are the most significant costs associated with heavy-duty transport. Switching to a hydrogen fuel can save your business time and money in the future. Hydrogen fuel is also flexible, meaning it has more range than the electric counterpart and can be expected to reach twice the miles per full charge or tank. An all-electric fleet can handle regional loads, but a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle could handle regional deliveries as well as cover longer routes with little time needed in between for refueling. A more flexible fleet for your company means more money.
It appears that hydrogen fuel will have some advantages and is a sure contender for the future of trucking, including long haul and heavy-duty operations.

Trifecta Transport Can Help

Trifecta is an all-in-one logistics source for businesses. We can help provide solutions that are backed by our industry knowledge and experience. If you have any questions or concerns about your shipping and fleets, give us a call. We would love to talk with you and can be reached at 1-800-469-1428 or by email at info@trifectatrans.com. We also have a contact us form to fill out so we can get back to you right away.

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