The benefits and suitability of hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE) is the focus of a new report launched today. It takes a closer look at the role hydrogen has to play in the decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and off-highway machinery.
As the energy transition advances at pace, the role hydrogen could play in decarbonisation is still not fully established, despite acknowledgement that it has long been seen as a viable solution in sectors typically accepted as hard to decarbonise.
The opportunities for both hydrogen ICE and hydrogen fuel cells are discussed in the ‘hydrogen landscape for automotive insight report’ released by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC). The release of the report is timely, with the Industrial Vehicle Technology (iVT) Expo in Cologne taking place on 11 and 12 June.
APC’s Stakeholder Engagement Director, Philippa Oldham will be moderating the plenary session and delivering a presentation entitled, ‘Opportunities for off-highway decarbonisation.’ Which will explore the role of hydrogen innovation in vehicle technology, and the supply chain strategies supporting a more sustainable future for industrial transport.
Philippa Oldham says:
“The UK has a rich history in the design and manufacture of ICE, and the wealth of knowledge and experience in this area can be applied to hydrogen ICE.
“HDVs, fleet operations, and non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) are all applications where adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is proving challenging. Hydrogen ICE offers a fast refuel, range advantages, performance and retrofit solutions which can serve to manage transitional costs as this solution uses the same cooling and drivetrain as the incumbent diesel engines. Hydrogen ICE also has considerable potential when looking to the export opportunities on offer for the UK, as it is increasingly being favoured in Europe as an emerging clean technology for HDVs in particular.
“The energy transition will not be a one-size-fits-all solution, and while considerable attention is handed over to BEVs, particularly in the passenger car segment, hydrogen technologies will play a significant role for the more challenging areas. With this in mind, we need to ensure the sector, and its supply chain attract the necessary investment and that it is upheld with policy and regulation that serves to enhance and position the UK as a global leader in hydrogen ICE innovation and manufacture.”
Europe’s targets of a 90% reduction in carbon emissions by 2040 when compared to the UK’s complete ban by 2035 leaves room for the implementation of hydrogen ICE as a powertrain for some segments of the automotive sector. Many of the current hydrogen ICE solutions emit low levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) which currently could restrict UK opportunities post 2035.
Dr Hadi Moztarzadeh, Head of Technology Trends at the APC, added:
“I see real opportunity for hydrogen ICE and there now needs to be a focus on the development of supporting policy and regulation. The low level of NOx is currently inhibiting wider adoption in passenger vehicle applications, but battery technologies currently do not have the capability to decarbonise the HDV and off-highway sectors so we need to seriously address and consider solutions that can reduce emissions.
In the insight report we note that hydrogen ICE, with relevant after-treatments could reduce CO2 emissions by 99.95%, as well as reducing the global warming potential of all greenhouse gases by 99.9%, compared with current Stage V diesel engines. As policies move to consider the emissions of the whole vehicle, rather than just at tailpipe, this could bolster the appeal of hydrogen ICE.”
The APC is urging the automotive sector and its supporting supply chains to discuss the future pathway and innovation for hydrogen ICE and hydrogen fuel cell technologies and is welcoming exploratory conversations about future funding opportunities available.
The APC is the organisation tasked by the UK government and the automotive industry to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport solutions. It uses its unique knowledge gained from working closely with the global automotive industry to provide insight and forecasting to support government with strategic policy decisions and provide clarity to the industry about projected demand and product and technology roadmaps.
Read the ‘hydrogen landscape for automotive insight report’
For an in-depth look at future pathways for hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen storage for the automotive industry to 2040, see the Automotive Council’s Roadmaps for: Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Storage, and Internal Combustion Engines.
