This SAE EDGE Research Report looks at the pros and cons of moving this technology forward and brings recommendations to facilitate a smooth transition from fossil fuel-based to hydrogen-based mobility. Unsettled Issues Concerning the Economics of Fuel Cells and Electric Ground Vehicles discusses the unsettled economic aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell applications in the automotive industry. Lately, the idea of using hydrogen in automotive applications is gaining momentum. While the concept of using clean hydrogen fuel generated from water via electrolysis is nothing new, previous efforts to mainstream the technology failed miserably. About a decade ago, the fuel cell technology, which efficiently converts hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen into electricity, was not as advanced and the fuel cell prototypes were bulky and expensive. Yet, many new fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have emerged, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure is being built globally. Despite the important steps forward, hydrogen generation and fuel cells are still costly and cannot compete with fossil fuel-based solutions. While it can be a viable tool in combating climate change and air pollution, hydrogen currently hardly makes a business case. And although many hydrogen infrastructure developments are fueled by government subsidies (and fear of carbon tax), detailed economic evaluation suggests that creating a hydrogen economy of scale can reduce technology costs, creating the window of opportunity it needs to become a concrete global market player. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020002

While direct electrification appears to provide the most cost-effective route to decarbonization of commercial vehicles, uptake may be constrained by critical metal supply. Additionally, it will be many years before hydrogen power becomes decarbonized or if it can ever compete economically with direct electrification. An electric road system (ERS) could offer a highly efficient and cost-effective route to direct electrification that would greatly reduce the volume of batteries required, but pilot schemes are urgently needed to provide concrete data on operating costs for different ERS technologies. Furthermore, if plug-in hybrid electric vehicles could obtain most of their power from an ERS, liquid biofuels and “electrofuels” may prove useful for occasional off-grid range extension. To achieve extremely long-range for operation in remote locations, liquid fuels remain the only viable option. Unsettled Issues Regarding Power Options for Decarbonized Commercial Vehicles discusses the analysis required to understand the lifecycle energy use for different power options for decarbonized commercial vehicles. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021021