A study on fuel cell trucks that provides important insights for road freight has been presented by RWTH Aachen. Specifically, the chair “Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components” (PEM) has examined the deployability, operating costs, deployment flexibility and access to infrastructure of fuel cell trucks compared with battery-electric vehicles, and published the results in the peer-reviewed journal Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives.
No universal solution
In the conclusion of the study, PEM director Achim Kampker emphasizes that there is no universal solution for either fuel cell trucks or battery-electric trucks.
“The respective economic viability is highly
dependent on the deployment profile, the available infrastructure, and the level of technological maturity,” the scientist said.
The study shows that fuel cell trucks with long range and short refueling times score points. Especially in long-haul transport, where large distances are driven daily, they could capitalize on their advantages. Study author Maximilian Bayerlein, however, emphasized that current hydrogen prices and the still incomplete infrastructure restrict practical viability.
Energy cost factor
A central finding of the study concerns the operating costs. While on longer routes they approach the values of battery-electric trucks, they are currently
effectively higher. The main reason for this, according to the study, is the energy prices.
“The energy costs for electricity and for hydrogen exert the greatest influence on the costs of both technologies,” explained Kampker.
If the price of hydrogen falls, fuel cell trucks could become economically competitive.
Perspectives in Europe
The study concludes that operating hydrogen trucks in Central Europe is fundamentally feasible. A new vehicle generation with greater range and improved efficiency is on the verge of market introduction. For broad adoption, however, in addition to expanding infrastructure and its digital connectivity,
further political measures are required.
Researchers' approach
For the study, the PEM team compared all fuel cell models available and announced as of early 2024 with selected battery-electric trucks. In doing so, several deployment scenarios were simulated. The calculations were based on energy costs, vehicle usage, and the availability of infrastructure in the European context.
The study shows that operating hydrogen trucks in Central Europe is fundamentally feasible. For companies in the transport and logistics sector, further price and infrastructure development will be decisive in order to deploy the technology on a larger scale.
