Fueling the Future: The Case for Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Sustainable Transportation
Abstract
In the global pursuit of transportation decarbonization, this essay asserts that heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology represents a more compelling path forward than light-duty FCEVs. The inherent advantages of fuel cells, such as extended range, rapid refueling, and sustained performance, make them well-suited for demanding applications like trucking and public transit. Heavy-duty FCEVs offer significant potential for emissions reduction, integration with existing infrastructure, and economies of scale through commercial fleet adoption. While the upfront investment is substantial, the essay examines how operational benefits can gradually offset costs, emphasizing the importance of heavy-duty FCEVs in sustainable transportation solutions.
Keywords
FCEV; Decarbonization; Heavy Duty Vehicles; Infrastructure; Emission ReductionReferences
- M. Setiyo, “Sustainable Transport: The Role of Clean Energy, Mass Rapid Transit, Non-motorized Mobility, and Challenges to Achievement,†Automotive Experiences, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1–3, 2023, doi: 10.31603/ae.9108.
- T. Rudolf, T. Schurmann, S. Schwab, and S. Hohmann, “Toward Holistic Energy Management Strategies for Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Heavy-Duty Applications,†Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 109, no. 6, pp. 1094–1114, Jun. 2021, doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2021.3055136.
- A. KovaÄ, M. Paranos, and D. MarciuÅ¡, “Hydrogen in energy transition: A review,†International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 46, no. 16, pp. 10016–10035, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.11.256.
- M. de las N. Camacho, D. Jurburg, and M. Tanco, “Hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks: Review of main research topics,†International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 47, no. 68, pp. 29505–29525, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.06.271.
- M. Setiyo, “Alternative fuels for transportation sector in Indonesia,†Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–6, 2022, doi: 10.31603/mesi.6850.
- J. Kast, R. Vijayagopal, J. J. Gangloff, and J. Marcinkoski, “Clean commercial transportation: Medium and heavy duty fuel cell electric trucks,†International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 42, no. 7, pp. 4508–4517, Feb. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.12.129.
- X. Tan, W. Chen, and F. Pan, “Fuel Cell Heavy-Duty Trucks: Application and Prospect,†Engineering, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 728–730, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.01.008.
- P. K. Rose and F. Neumann, “Hydrogen refueling station networks for heavy-duty vehicles in future power systems,†Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 83, p. 102358, Jun. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2020.102358.
- E. Pizzutilo, T. Acher, B. Reuter, C. Will, and S. Schäfer, “Subcooled Liquid Hydrogen Technology for Heavy-Duty Trucks,†World Electric Vehicle Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 22, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.3390/wevj15010022.
- S. F. Camilleri et al., “Air quality, health and equity implications of electrifying heavy-duty vehicles,†Nature Sustainability, vol. 6, no. 12, pp. 1643–1653, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41893-023-01219-0.
- R. Yan and Z. Jiang, “Energy-saving and emission-reduction potential of fuel cell heavy-duty trucks in China during the fuel life cycle,†Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 30, no. 33, pp. 80559–80572, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-28085-9.
- M. Genovese and P. Fragiacomo, “Hydrogen refueling station: Overview of the technological status and research enhancement,†Journal of Energy Storage, vol. 61, p. 106758, May 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2023.106758.
- R. Samsun, M. Rex, L. Antoni, and D. Stolten, “Deployment of Fuel Cell Vehicles and Hydrogen Refueling Station Infrastructure: A Global Overview and Perspectives,†Energies, vol. 15, no. 14, p. 4975, Jul. 2022, doi: 10.3390/en15144975.
- A. F. Burke, J. Zhao, M. R. Miller, A. Sinha, and L. M. Fulton, “Projections of the costs of medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles (2020-2040) and related economic issues,†Energy for Sustainable Development, vol. 77, p. 101343, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.esd.2023.101343.
- S. Moon, Y.-J. Lee, and D.-J. Lee, “A cost-effectiveness analysis of fuel cell electric vehicles considering infrastructure costs and greenhouse gas emissions: An empirical case study in Korea,†Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 54, p. 102777, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.102777.
- European Commission, “The European green deal.†Apr. 30, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Suroto Munahar, Muji Setiyo, Ray Adhan Brieghtera, Madihah Mohd Saudi, Azuan Ahmad, Dori Yuvenda, Fuel Control System on CNG Fueled Vehicles using Machine Learning: A Case Study on the Downhill , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 6 No. 1 (2023)
- Yusuf Dewantoro Herlambang, Wahyu Sulistiyo, Margana Margana, Nanang Apriandi, Marliyati Marliyati, Muji Setiyo, Jin Cherng Shyu, Application of a PEM Fuel Cell Engine as a Small-Scale Power Generator for Small Cars with Different Fuel Concentrations: Fuel cell engine , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 6 No. 2 (2023)
- Indra Chandra Setiawan, Muji Setiyo, Renewable and Sustainable Green Diesel (D100) for Achieving Net Zero Emission in Indonesia Transportation Sector , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2022)
- Hendry Y. Nanlohy, Helen Riupassa, Muji Setiyo, Characterizing of Nano Activated Bio-Carbon of Sago Waste as a Homogeneous Combustion Catalyst , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 7 No. 1 (2024)
- Randi Purnama Putra, Dori Yuvenda, Muji Setiyo, Andrizal Andrizal, Martias Martias, Body City Car Design of Two Passengers Capacity: A Numerical Simulation Study , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022)
- Roni Muhammad Susanto, Muji Setiyo, Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV): Status Teknologi dan Peluang Pengembangannya , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 1 No. 01 (2018)
- Aditya Kolakoti, Bobbili Prasadarao, Katakam Satyanarayana, Muji Setiyo, Hasan Köten, Metta Raghu, Elemental, Thermal and Physicochemical Investigation of Novel Biodiesel from Wodyetia Bifurcata and Its Properties Optimization using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2022)
- Bagiyo Condro Purnomo, Indra Chandra Setiawan, Heru Adi Nugroho, Study on Cooling System for Parked Cars using Mini Air Cooler and Exhaust Fan , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 3 No. 2 (2020)
- Retno Rusdjijati, Sumarno Adi Subrata, Zulfikar Bagus Pambuko, Muji Setiyo, Marcin Noga, Strategy for Safe Passenger Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Review to Recommendation , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022)
- Djoko Wahyu Karmiadji, Muchamad Gozali, Anwar Anwar, Hedi Purnomo, Muji Setiyo, Ramli Junid, Evaluation of Operational Loading of the Light-Rail Transit (LRT) in Capital Region, Indonesia , Automotive Experiences: Vol. 3 No. 3 (2020)