H2Accelerate whitepaper sets out the need for hydrogen trucking
A new whitepaper on the ‘Need for hydrogen trucking’ sets out the underlying arguments in favour of the use of hydrogen to decarbonise long-haul trucks. The evidence for two key aspects of the case for hydrogen are discussed within the paper:
- The role of hydrogen in facilitating rapid and enhanced renewable energy deployment, by allowing the large-scale storage and distribution of renewable energy.
- The need for hydrogen as the only zero-carbon zero-emission fuel in the heavy-duty trucking sector which can provide a combination of fast refuelling and very long range between refuels.
By demonstrating that hydrogen will form an essential part of an energy system powered by renewables, and that hydrogen is able to serve the needs of truck operators on long-haul routes, the paper shows that hydrogen is a powerful tool to decarbonise long-haul trucking.
The H2Accelerate participants intend to publish further whitepapers on expectations for the uptake of hydrogen trucking and the requirements for policy support. These are intended to inform decisions which can help move Europe towards a commercially sustainable hydrogen trucking system during this decade. These papers will be published through the H2Accelerate website throughout the year.
H2Accelerate spokesperson Ben Madden, said: “While ambitious targets have already been set for the deployment of hydrogen trucks over the coming ten years, this cannot be achieved without an acceleration of deployment on the ground. The publication of the first H2Accelerate whitepaper shows the unification of companies of significant scale and influence behind the vital importance of hydrogen in both sustainable energy systems and in long haul trucking. With the right policy support in place, we believe that the companies involved in H2Accelerate can act as a catalyst for the transition to decarbonised trucking.”
H2Accelerate participants believe that synchronized investments across the hydrogen trucking sector during the 2020s will create the conditions for the mass market roll-out of hydrogen fuelled heavy duty transportation which is required to meet the European ambition of net zero emissions by 2050. The decade long scale-up is expected to begin with groups of customers willing to make an early commitment to hydrogen-based trucking. These fleets are expected to operate in regional clusters and along European high-capacity corridors with good refuelling station coverage. During the decade, these clusters can then be interconnected to build a truly pan-European network.
Throughout the scale up, support from the public sector will be required. Under H2Accelerate, the participants expect to work together to seek funding for early pre-commercial projects during the first phase of the roll-out. In parallel, the participants will engage with policy makers and regulators to encourage a policy environment which will help support the subsequent scale up into volume manufacturing for hydrogen trucks and a Europe-wide refuelling network for zero carbon hydrogen fuel.
TotalEnergies joins H2Accelerate
The participants of H2Accelerate, which are committed to working together to accelerating the deployment of green hydrogen for trucking, comprise both hydrogen producers and infrastructure operators, and vehicle manufacturers. TotalEnergies has been welcomed to the group as a key future supplier of green hydrogen and owner of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for trucking.
John Wilson, Vice President, Gas Mobility at TotalEnergies Marketing and Services, said: “The environmental and practical benefits of driving on hydrogen (H2) make it one of the most promising alternative fuels for tomorrow’s sustainable mobility, particularly in long-haul road transport. To meet the 2030 emission reduction targets for this segment, we must work together across the H2 value chain to ensure that this energy, the vehicles and the required infrastructure are in place as soon as possible. This is what H2Accelerate is striving for. Becoming a member will help us in our goal to develop hydrogen refuelling stations for trucks in Europe, and beyond, and is another step towards our Climate Ambition to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 together with society.”
Ben Madden, spokesperson for the H2Accelerate Collaboration, said: “We are excited to today welcome TotalEnergies to the H2Accelerate Collaboration. It is clear that pan-European cooperation is necessary to drive the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure at the required scale, and the participation of a major player such as TotalEnergies marks yet another milestone in the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty trucking sector.”
