EVs are taking the center stage as the auto industry leads from the center in making clean and green energy the future of energy. While EVs are doing it for trucks, four-wheelers, and two-wheelers it hasn’t stopped other means of similar reforms from taking place. And so in a parallel effort, a move away from Diesel to Hydrogen trucks is catching attention.
The three main things that are happening because of such a move.
1. Existing vehicles are being retrofitted
Truck owners are getting their vehicles retrofitted to be able to run them on H2. It wouldn’t be possible to replace all Diesel-based trucks to run on Hydrogen at once.
So this move makes more sense as it not just reduces emission but also maintains the current asset while saving money and reducing waste.
2. Boost in efficiency
Since the trucks are in good shape no company would see it fit to replace the whole fleet at once which would require a large investment as well.
Also, research from the University of New South Wales has developed a system that promises to convert up to 90% of diesel operations while also boosting efficiency by 26%. This is also helping reduce the carbon footprint produced by such trucks.
3. Reducing nitrous oxide emissions
These retrofitted systems don’t need high-purity hydrogen fuels. The system uses a stratification technique where pockets of higher and lower H2 concentrations are formed and thus nitrous oxide emission is reduced.
While companies may not be ready to replace entire fleets, that does not mean that diesel-based trucks can’t be converted to hydrogen-based trucks to reduce the release of harmful greenhouse gases.
So in this way, a move away from Diesel to Hydrogen trucks is catching attention as it offers multiple benefits. This way companies can not just keep a hold of their fleet but also make an effort to decarbonize to help fight climate change as we move towards a clean and green future.
Also while the system mentioned above will convert up to 90% of diesel operations there would still be 10% left which means that there still would be harmful emissions to deal with.
This system like most retrofits doesn’t use a fuel cell to convert diesel to hydrogen instead they add a hydrogen injection to the cylinder. So systems like these make sure to keep the current fleet useful while still being in use.
The old trucks can still be around and in use, as the asset does not need to be trashed, just retrofitted so that their greenhouse gas emission can be reduced. A move such as this will see reduced waste offsetting a considerable amount of remaining emissions from the operation of the vehicle.
Also Read: First Public Hydrogen Refueling Station by ORLEN Opens in Czech Republic’s Capital Prague
So all in all a move away from diesel to hydrogen trucks will see the following changes.
- Old trucks will get retrofitting systems to still be of use while switching from diesel to hydrogen.
- Trucks will no longer give away emissions in huge quantities as they used to.
- Through research, newer retrofitting systems are being developed.
- No fuel cells will be required to run such trucks.
Source: World Energy
