The future of hydrogen powered CVs
Dr David Phillips, engineering director, Eminox explores the feasibility of hydrogen powered vehicles supporting the net zero transition for commercial vehicles, and what users, owners and operators could expect.
The commercial vehicle sector is once again undergoing a period of considerable change. A recent announcement by the Council of the EU cited that Euro 7 emissions legislation will be introduced from 1st July 2027 for heavy duty vehicles, and 1st July 2025 for light commercial vehicles and cars.
These revised regulations have tightened emissions standards pertaining to particulate matter and NOx, and, to ensure compliance, more rigorous testing will be introduced for each vehicle category. Yet, whilst the latest Euro 7 regulations are expected to remain for around a decade or so, how is the industry preparing for the move to alternative fuels, particularly hydrogen?
The primary benefit of transferring to hydrogen powered vehicles is fleets will no longer be reliant on fossil fuels and it will help vehicle owners and operators comply more easily with the increasing number of Low Emission Zones, both in the UK and Europe, as well as meeting their own ESG targets. This is because hydrogen generates less emissions, although an exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) would still be required due to the generation of NOx.
Yet while the environmental benefits are tangible, it is also important to understand the challenges we currently face. Perhaps the most significant in using hydrogen as a fuel source is the infrastructure required to support this switch.
This infrastructure would encompass the manufacturing, storage, and distribution of the fuel. With hydrogen typically taking up thirteen times more space than diesel and being highly volatile, it would require a coordinated, multi-stakeholder strategy to create a gas refuelling spine to facilitate this.
Close to zero
It’s also useful to understand that hydrogen would not be the only fuel source required in the transition from fossil fuels. Already we are seeing electric used for last mile delivery fleets; coupled with hydrogen for longer haul journeys a new way of transportation that moves us close to net zero, could be established. As part of that net zero journey, it’s important to note that hydrogen powered vehicles will undoubtedly meet global emissions standards, however there is still a requirement for an exhaust aftertreatment system as hydrogen fuel still produces NOx although at lower levels than diesel.
Much simpler systems than their fossil fuel counterparts, the most significant change to the system is the removal of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) as hydrogen produces only a very small amount of particulate from air and oil.
However, because there is no carbon in the system, exhaust gases have a higher percentage of water which can have a negative effective on engine performance and longevity. That said, hydrogen is still a hugely viable option for vehicle power and to ensure global emissions standards continue to be met and vehicle performance maintained.
A hydrogen powered vehicle works in pretty much the same way as a dieselpowered vehicle in that the vehicle has an internal combustion engine, it is merely the fuel source that is different.
Torque and performance is expected to be comparable, however refuelling will likely need to take place more often due to the high volume of hydrogen.
The best solution for hydrogen manufacture would be to produce green hydrogen; excess green energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar and tidal and that can be electrolysed to make hydrogen. This is the most efficient energy storage vector for creating hydrogen; ideally there would be enough surplus energy generated to facilitate hydrogen production.
A real alternative
This is preferable over grey hydrogen generated from natural gas or methane through a process called steam reforming which produces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and blue hydrogen which during the steam reforming process, a high proportion of carbon generated is captured and stored underground.
Critically, it’s about creating the right type of hydrogen to truly make the transition to hydrogen powered vehicles, and make a step in the right direction in our net zero journey.
In conclusion, hydrogen is a very real alternative to diesel and realistically we could expect to see hydrogen engines and exhaust systems integrated into mainstream vehicles within the next 20 years.
It will largely depend on government directives to ensure the infrastructure is available however, with engine manufacturers and emissions reduction solutions already in place there will most likely be lobbying from third parties to drive forward that transition.
This is because, integrating hydrogen as a fuel source into our commercial vehicle network is an essential part of reaching net zero targets set by the UK Government which aims to see the UK emissions free by 2050.
The expertise that Eminox has regarding vehicle emissions legislation and compliance, and its range of real world tested, market leading type approved products, makes them the ideal partner for vehicle owners and operators looking for alternative fuel sources and continue to achieve the required emissions standards.
