How hydrogen fuel cells can transform urban mobility
In the year ending March 2023 in Great Britain, a total of 6.5 billion passenger journeys were completed using public transport vehicles.
With levels of travel and emissions continuing to grow, a solution needs to be put in place to ensure we can manage demand whilst staying on track in the race to net zero. This is where hydrogen comes in…
Hydrogen vehicles and zero-emission transport have a place in the future of urban mobility and city planning, offering benefits such as reduced emissions, reduced noise and greater energy efficiency when used on a large scale.
Continue reading to learn more about how hydrogen fuel cells can transform urban mobility and urban services.
Hydrogen-powered public transport
Zero emission buses
Many UK cities, like London, are already exploring hydrogen-powered buses to reduce air pollution. Hydrogen buses can help to combat urban air quality issues as they only emit water vapor and therefore aren’t adding to the emission levels already in existence. By expanding fleets of hydrogen buses across the UK, cleaner and quieter public transportation could be accessible to all. You can read more about the benefits of hydrogen buses in London on the TFL site.
Trains and trams
Hydrogen-powered trains are already in use in parts of Europe (check out the Swiss hydrogen fuel cell passenger train that achieved a world record for travelling for almost 2 days on one charge), and the UK could follow suit by integrating hydrogen fuel cells into regional train services, especially on non-electrified tracks. Hydrogen trams could also be used to connect areas within cities that are not served by underground or light rail networks.
Hydrogen vehicles for urban fleets
Both the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo are examples of fuel cell powered cars already on the roads. Hydrogen fuel cells can also be integrated into vans, taxis and other urban service vehicles, reducing emissions in high-density areas where traditional ICE vehicles contribute significantly to air pollution.
The Department for Transport’s official statistics show that transport is the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gas emissions, producing 26% of the UK’s total emissions in 2021. Zero-emission transport options for urban fleets could help to reduce this figure.
With local councils already using electric vehicles to carry out various services in the bid to reduce emissions, there is potential for hydrogen powered alternatives to be introduced in time, helping towns and cities reduce their carbon footprint further and move towards a zero-emission future.
Expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
To make the wide scale adoption of hydrogen vehicles possible, the UK would need a robust network of hydrogen refuelling stations. Strategic investments in refuelling infrastructure would make hydrogen fuel cells more viable for urban mobility, especially if located in key urban hubs and residential areas over time where interest in zero-emission vehicles has spiked.
Decarbonising freight transport in cities
Hydrogen trucks
Heavy-duty hydrogen trucks can replace diesel-powered freight vehicles in urban logistics, reducing emissions from transportation in city centres. For example, the IE-DRIVE HD100 is ideal for integration into buses or trucks and with the increasing demand for last-mile delivery services in e-commerce, these trucks could be an essential part of a sustainable urban logistics system.
Airports
As one of the largest polluting industries, there is a push to reduce emissions in the sky and on the ground in the aviation world. Alongside zero-emission air travel, we could see hydrogen-powered tow tractors and cargo vehicles contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable transport system at airports. Airports are also prime locations for hydrogen refuelling stations due to the range of transportation onsite that could be powered by fuel cell technology.
Smart mobility and Hydrogen as a Service (HaaS)
Integrating hydrogen vehicles into Mobility-as-a-Service (Maas) platforms would offer a seamless, sustainable travel experience in urban areas. For example, users could book hydrogen-powered taxis, shuttles or rideshare options directly through a mobile app, contributing to the growth of zero-emission shared mobility solutions.
Fleet operators could also adopt hydrogen vehicles for on-demand services in cities, creating a new market for shared zero-emission transport options.
Enhanced energy storage and grid integration
Hydrogen is a good medium for storing excess energy during periods of low demand.
When renewable energy sources such as wind and solar generate excess electricity in prime weather conditions, the grid’s ability to support and utilise this is not always possible. Excess electricity can therefore be converted to hydrogen and stored until there is a peak in demand. This enhances grid stability and solves the issue of lost excess power.
This can also support urban mobility solutions whether powered by hydrogen or electricity due to the greater supply of both hydrogen and electricity that can be created and supplied.
Hydrogen and localised energy solutions
Urban areas could deploy localised hydrogen microgrids, particularly in zones with high transportation demand. These microgrids would produce and store hydrogen locally, providing an energy source for hydrogen vehicles without relying on centralised grids. This approach could further increase the resilience of urban energy and transport systems.
For more information on the role of hydrogen in our cities and in making public transport cleaner, take a look at our guide on fuel cells for public transport.
Intelligent Energy is proud to be one of the world’s leading hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers, offering a full range of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell products for automotive, aerospace, power generation, telecoms, marine, rail, UAV and material handling industries. To get in touch with any enquiries, or to learn more about how we’re powering the hydrogen future, contact us.