Fuelcell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use a hydrogen fuel cell to power an electric motor. Instead of storing energy in a battery, FCEVs store hydrogen gas in tanks and convert the gas into electricity using a fuel cell and a smaller battery for energy recovery and acceleration support. This process is efficient and clean, with water vapor being the only emission. FCEVs can be refueled quickly, much like conventional vehicles, and offer a longer range than most battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Hydrogen fuel cells are an efficient power source for trucks, construction equipment buses and industrial or marine applications, as they benefit from a high energy-to-weight ratio. Unlike batteries, which add weight and require longer recharge times, fuel cells can power heavy loads over longer distances and be refueled quickly. This efficiency is a major advantage for long haul trucking, where minimizing downtime is crucial.
At Volvo Group we see hydrogen fuel cells as one of the key enablers of fossil-free transportation systems, supporting our transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Through the use of hydrogen in both fuel cell and combustion applications, we believe that we can offer a competitive long-term balance of power, flexibility, and range, with the benefit of zero emissions.Both hydrogen fuel cell technology and hydrogen powered combustion engines will be needed to decarbonize commerci al transports.
Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. In a fuel cell, hydrogen gas is fed into the anode where a catalyst causes the hydrogen molecules to split into protons and electrons. The protons pass directly through a membrane to form water, which is the only by-product in this process. The electrons create a separate current that can be used before they return to the cathode to be recombined with oxygen and protons.
Hydrogen is used as a fuel for vehicles, in chemical production, and as an energy storage medium. In vehicles, it powers fuel cells for electric trucks, buses, construction equipment and cars. It's also used in industrial processes, such as oil refining and ammonia production, and can store excess energy from renewable sources.
\r\n"}},"@type":"Question","name":"How does a hydrogen fuel cell work?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"A hydrogen fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode, where it is split into electrons and protons. The electrons flow through an external circuit to produce electricity, while the protons move through a membrane to the cathode. At the cathode, electrons, protons, and oxygen from the air combine to form water.","@type":"Question","name":"How do hydrogen fuel cells compare to traditional combustion engines?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient than traditional internal combustion engines because they convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, reducing energy loss from heat. They also emit only water vapor, while traditional engines run on fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases and pollutants.","@type":"Question","name":"Are hydrogen-powered vehicles a sustainable choice?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Hydrogen-powered vehicles can be sustainable, especially when hydrogen is produced from renewable sources. They offer a high-energy, low-emission alternative to fossil fuels. However, sustainability depends on the entire lifecycle of the vehicle, including production, operation, and disposal.","@type":"Question","name":"How can I access hydrogen fuel for my truck?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"As the use of hydrogen in the transport and infrastructure industry accelerates its availability for use in combustion engines and for fuel cells will become more common. We foresee that many of today\u2019s fuel stations will begin to offer hydrogen and hydrogen production facilities will increase in number to support this. Alternatively, some businesses may invest in on-site hydrogen production and refueling capabilities, especially in fleet operations."],"@type":"FAQPage","@id":"/faq","@context":" "} What is hydrogen used for? Hydrogen is used as a fuel for vehicles, in chemical production, and as an energy storage medium. In vehicles, it powers fuel cells for electric trucks, buses, construction equipment and cars. It's also used in industrial processes, such as oil refining and ammonia production, and can store excess energy from renewable sources.
A hydrogen fuel cell works by passing hydrogen through the anode, where it is split into electrons and protons. The electrons flow through an external circuit to produce electricity, while the protons move through a membrane to the cathode. At the cathode, electrons, protons, and oxygen from the air combine to form water.
Hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient than traditional internal combustion engines because they convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, reducing energy loss from heat. They also emit only water vapor, while traditional engines run on fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases and pollutants.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles can be sustainable, especially when hydrogen is produced from renewable sources. They offer a high-energy, low-emission alternative to fossil fuels. However, sustainability depends on the entire lifecycle of the vehicle, including production, operation, and disposal.
HPDI enables the world's trucking and off-road equipment manufacturers to address the challenges of meeting the regulatory requirements of Euro 7 and the US EPA while offering end users affordable options that are powered by carbon neutral fuels like biogas, zero carbon fuels like green hydrogen and other renewable fuels. The HPDI fuel system consists of a fully integrated "tank to injector" solution, based on diesel technology.
At the heart of the engine is a revolutionary patented injector with a dual concentric needle design. A small amount of pilot fuel (which can be HVO, or diesel fuel) is injected into the cylinder prior to the gas, to initiate the ignition resulting in a reduction of almost 97% of CO2 emissions, and only a small amount of NOx and particles, in-line with the existing Euro 6 and proposed Euro 7 emission regulations.
Many countries around the world now have ambitious hydrogen strategies and hydrogen plays an essential role in the EU Green Deal. There is a great willingness to engage in cross-sector hydrogen usage and the industries are actively looking for potential synergies with, for example, trucks and construction equipment hydrogen usage.
However, there is a need for a certificate of origin system for hydrogen. This to be able to trace that climate friendly hydrogen has been used and thereby resulting in fulfillment of low emission. This can be used as a basis for the level of taxation. Volvo Group would encourage a CO2 declaration on hydrogen rather than talking about colors.
National and local governments, the industry, and investors will need to band together to develop the necessary infrastructure to support the energy transition to Green hydrogen and make it commercially viable. There are several hurdles we need to cross, for example the lack of infrastructure and hydrogen prices for end-users.
The biggest problem today is that new offtakes (users) are not yet present. There is a huge willingness to invest, but not without the assurance of customers. Trucks are seen as a practical level to practice upon before going really big scale, such as the cement industry.
A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen or other fuels to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. If hydrogen is the fuel, the only products are electricity, water, and heat. Fuel cells are unique in terms of the variety of their potential applications; they can use a wide range of fuels and feedstocks and can provide power for systems as large as a utility power station and as small as a laptop computer.
Fuel cells can be used in a wide range of applications, providing power for applications across multiple sectors, including transportation, industrial/commercial/residential buildings, and long-term energy storage for the grid in reversible systems.
Fuel cells have several benefits over conventional combustion-based technologies currently used in many power plants and vehicles. Fuel cells can operate at higher efficiencies than combustion engines and can convert the chemical energy in the fuel directly to electrical energy with efficiencies capable of exceeding 60%. Fuel cells have lower or zero emissions compared to combustion engines. Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water, addressing critical climate challenges as there are no carbon dioxide emissions. There also are no air pollutants that create smog and cause health problems at the point of operation. Fuel cells are quiet during operation as they have few moving parts.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working closely with its national laboratories, universities, and industry partners to overcome critical technical barriers to fuel cell development. Cost, performance, and durability are still key challenges in the fuel cell industry. View related links that provide details about DOE-funded fuel cell activities.
Gasoline and diesel vehicles are similar. They both use internal combustion engines. A gasoline car typically uses a spark-ignited internal combustion engine, rather than the compression-ignited systems used in diesel vehicles. In a spark-ignited system, the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and combined with air. The air/fuel mixture is ignited by a spark from the spark plug. Although gasoline is the most common transportation fuel, there are alternative fuel options that use similar components and engine systems. Learn about alternative fuel options.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles operate much like gasoline-powered vehicles with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The engine functions the same way as a gasoline engine. Natural gas is stored in a fuel tank, or cylinder, typically at the back of the vehicle. The CNG fuel system transfers high-pressure gas from the fuel tank through the fuel lines, where a pressure regulator reduces the pressure to a level compatible with the engine fuel injection system. Finally, the fuel is introduced into the intake manifold or combustion chamber, where it is mixed with air and then compressed and ignited by a spark plug. Learn more about natural gas vehicles.
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