ABSTRACT
In the context of a decarbonized future where stringent carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions constraints are imposed on vehicles, hydrogen emerges as a promising solution to address emissions directly at the point of use. This chapter explores the potential of using hydrogen to power vehicles, particularly in the context of heavy-duty (HD) internal combustion engine (ICE) applications. Hydrogen vehicles offer rapid refueling and can be configured to carry more energy than is possible for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which helps extend their driving range. Various practical hydrogen storage technologies exist, with pressurized and liquid storage being the most advanced. Hydrogen’s advantage becomes evident when rapid refueling is essential. Additionally, hydrogen excels in terms of energy storage capacity in a given vehicle platform, especially for HD applications. Despite lower powertrain efficiency compared to electric propulsion, hydrogen’s ability to transfer energy quickly is crucial for commercial and HD applications, where high vehicle utilization rates are essential.
The chapter also discusses the use of hydrogen in ICEs versus fuel cells (FCs) and explores the potential for ICEs to compete with FCs in terms of energy efficiency, particularly in HD vehicles.
In conclusion, hydrogen’s characteristics make it a compelling option for long-distance transport, outperforming BEVs in terms of energy storage capacity and rapid refueling. To fully realize hydrogen’s potential, optimizing ICEs for hydrogen use and addressing operational challenges will be essential, especially in HD applications. Some concepts that may achieve this are also discussed.
