Autonomous Trucks
A new report from the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) group compared potential performance of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV), underscoring key advantages to hydrogen in long-haul heavy-duty trucking. Thomas Walker, Transportation Technology Manager at CATF, noted the reality that “vehicle weight and energy needs could make it difficult for trucks to transition away from diesel with onboard battery technology alone." Studies projecting the full range of costs associated with hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks and how those costs will compare to those of battery- and diesel-powered systems suggest very different results based on a variety of assumptions. Walker did note persistent uncertainty when it comes to the "ultimate total cost of ownership of hydrogen fuel cells and battery electric vehicles" as technology progresses, and urged consideration of both technologies in a variety of applications. And the report does not compare engines powered by hydrogen combustion like the one debuted by Cummins recently.