Hydrogen fuel cells seek transport niches EVs can’t reach

Hydrogen fuel cells are losing the battle against lithium-ion batteries in cars and light transport, but as hydrogen prices come down, the technology may find a niche in longer-haul, heavy-load transportation.November 8 – Rapid take up of electric vehicles has some claiming that fuel cells powered by clean hydrogen have no place in the transport sector – Elon Musk famously refers to them as “fool cells” – however electric batteries have limitations, both in range and weight, especially for heavy vehicles with long ranges such as cargo trucks.A battery-powered, relatively light-weight family sedan may boast a range of around 400-500 kilometres before it must recharge, however a heavy-duty truck would be lucky to get half that range.A larger battery, for longer range, would be bulky, taking away precious cargo space and means an extra payload of as much as five tons for an…

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