The German automaker Bosch announced its plan to launch its first hydrogen engine for trucks and construction equipment in 2024, which will be part of its existing fuel cell and battery-electric offerings.
Despite the gains made by EVs over the past decade, hydrogen is still a hot topic, with a handful of automakers that have developed and even fielded production hydrogen fuel-cell models. You can probably guess right away just which automakers we’re talking about: Toyota, BMW, and Honda.
Despite the huge success of electric vehicles (EVs) over the past decade, automakers such as BMW, Toyota, and Honda still see hydrogen as a potential business in the future. As hydrogen engine technology’s popularity increases, these manufacturers have responded with innovations in the production of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
Besides heavily investing in EVs, they have also been preparing for a time when all sizes of hydrogen fuel-cell cars would coexist with electric vehicles and be a significant part of the zero-emission vehicle landscape.
However, in that bright future, hydrogen models could come in more forms than just fuel-cell cars. Recently, Bosch provided more details about their ideas for a hydrogen engine, an alternative method of using hydrogen as a fuel for automobiles. READ MORE...
The proof-of-concept hydrogen powered ultra-class mine haul truck at Anglo American's Mogalakwena Platinum Group Metals mine in South Africa. The truck has successfully completed its mission to demonstrate the potential of zero emission haulage after one full year of operational trials. Image courtesy of Anglo American.
LONDON and SEATTLE, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest zero-emission haul truck, designed and built by First Mode in partnership with Anglo American, has successfully completed its mission to demonstrate the potential of zero emission haulage after one full year of operational trials. The proof-of-concept mining truck is a critical technology in heavy industry's efforts to reduce its reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels.
"In May 2022, First Mode achieved what many thought impossible with the world's first and world's largest hydrogen-fueled haul truck," said Julian Soles, CEO of First Mode. "The truck's tremendous success is undisputed, having exceeded performance on all significant tests, including travel speed and payload. We are also extremely proud to report zero safety incidents or downtime associated with the program. Our proof-of-concept demonstrates not only the feasibility, but also the urgent need to scale our nuGen™ Haulage Solution to help the mining industry reduce its reliance on diesel."
In 2019, First Mode partnered with Anglo American to study potential pathways to decarbonizing the mining company's existing fleet of ultra-class haul trucks. The resulting nuGen™ Haulage Solution replaces all diesel components of the haulage ecosystem, including vehicle powerplant, refueling system, fuel storage infrastructure, and fuel production. The proof-of-concept truck made its debut May 6, 2022 at Anglo American's Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) mine site in Mogalakwena, South Africa.
Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American's PGMs business, commented, "We are proud to have played host to this world-first technology. We recognise that replacing our diesel haul trucks with a zero-emission alternative is central to our ability to deliver carbon neutral mining, with the potential to also offer broader operating performance benefits. We look forward to seeing the next generation model in action." READ MORE...https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-largest-fuel-cell-electric-vehicle-completes-successful-year-of-trials-301826795.html#:~:text=LONDON%20and%20SEATTLE%2C%20May%2017,full%20year%20of%20operational%20trials.
Canadian and British-based company First Hydrogen has unveiled a new concept for a zero-emission recreational vehicle (RV) that uses fuel cell technology. Developed in partnership with German engineering services provider EDAG Group, the RV concept illustrates how First Hydrogen explores how fuel cell electric technology could be applied to larger vehicles.
One of the primary benefits of using fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for RVs is their ability to cover larger ranges and manage heavier payloads than equivalent battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
RVs often travel long distances, often into wilderness areas far from refueling or charging infrastructure. Therefore, the long-range capability is especially appealing, and refueling an FCEV takes mere minutes, approximately the same amount of time as refueling a petrol or diesel vehicle.
In contrast, recharging electric vehicles can take hours, restricting the freedom that van life demands. FCEVs are also well-suited for running auxiliary loads such as cookers and water boilers, often required in recreational vehicles.
Using a fuel cell powertrain would positively affect the environment by reducing harmful emissions and noise compared to a traditional ICE. Additionally, an FCEV could travel longer distances, carry heavier payloads, and refuel in a matter of minutes, much like a gas or diesel vehicle.
First Hydrogen has not disclosed the estimated range for its Gen 2 vehicle, but the first-generation van is designed to cover between 249 and 373 miles (400 and 600 km) on a single refueling, which takes only five minutes.
First Hydrogen recently unveiled images of its Gen 2 LCV concept, which features off-road lighting, a front winch, and what appears to be a solar panel on the roof. Although no roof rack is visible in the images, the spacious interior could accommodate large gear such as a kayak, and the vehicle could be quickly converted into a comfortable camping site. READ MORE...
Both electric cars and hydrogen cars bring improvements in terms of carbon gas emissions and also in performance, but they also have their own complications.
Compared to EVs, hydrogen-powered vehicles have some benefits. They have a 300-mile range, while EVs have a range of roughly 200 miles and in cold conditions, the EV range decreases, while the range of hydrogen-powered vehicles does not. Most critically, a hydrogen engine produces only pure water vapor as exhaust. As a result, there are no emissions.
That is to say: “Irrespective of the time of year and the outside temperatures, the hydrogen fuel cell drive combines the best of both drive worlds: the locally emission-free mobility of an electric vehicle and the unrestricted suitability for everyday use” says Jürgen Guldner, Head of BMW Group Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.
These eco-friendly alternatives also come with some downsides, as evacuation roads do not have any charging stations, which could be a considerable disadvantage for EVs when facing evacuation due to a natural disaster. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is flammable and therefore dangerous if not properly stored or handled. It is heavily compressed for road use, increasing its complexity even more.
There's another bold aspect to consider regarding electric and hydrogen cars. As these energy supplies are relatively new in the market, there's not enough infrastructure to support fuel demand and other features such as price competitiveness. So far, finding a hydrogen fueling station can still turn into much of a headache for some areas in the US.
Besides, hydrogen handling is an intricate process and therefore, expensive. Conversely, hydrogen fueling is pretty fast and quicker when comparing it to electric charging. A car powered by hydrogen could take up to 10 minutes to get completely fueled, while an electric vehicle can take up to 45 minutes to charge.
The amount of EV charging stations does not meet the market's demand either. Michelle Krebs, an executive analyst for Cox Automotive, affirms. Most EV users already use an integrated unit, which governments can help to finance, to charge their vehicles at home.
For those who reside in apartment complexes or multifamily homes, though, that is less feasible and less likely to occur. Despite the fact of these issues, electric charging is still way cheaper than hydrogen fueling. READ MORE...
