Could Hydrogen Electric Trucks be the answer everyone is looking for

Hydrogen Electric Trucks – HVS Highlights Staggering Impact of Replacing London’s Diesel and Petrol Commercial Freight Vehicles with Hydrogen-Electric Trucks

• Commercial fleet operating in London emits approximately 1.6 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
• Switching to hydrogen would eliminate this greenhouse gas emission across the Greater London Area
• Road freight accounts for 89% of all goods transported in London
• Estimated 9,400 premature deaths in London are linked to long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and NO₂
• Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) is a UK-based hydrogen vehicle OEM and innovator in the heavy-duty commercial vehicle segment
• HVS’ revolutionary 40-tonne zero-emission HGV demonstrator on display at MOVE
• HGV features a unique hydrogen-electric powertrain and radical cab design with class-leading 370 mile (600 kilometre) range

clean the Burroughs with Hydrogen Electric Trucks

Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), an innovator in zero-emission commercial vehicles, has gathered information to highlight the benefits of transitioning from traditional diesel and petrol commercial delivery vehicles in London to zero-emission hydrogen-electric powertrains.

According to UK Local Authority GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Emissions dataset for 2020, it indicated a staggering 7,682 kilotons of CO₂ is emitted annually due to road transport in all London Boroughs. Further analysis showed that 20% of these emissions were attributed to commercial vehicles, including light vans and trucks. As road freight accounts for 89% of all goods transported in London, the potential for emissions reduction in this sector is substantial.

The knock-on effect is the concerning environmental impact of freight vehicles on air quality in the city. Freight vehicles in the report were responsible for 33% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and 29% of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) emissions from road transport in London^[1]. Additionally, road-related carbon dioxide emissions were found to be responsible for 23% of the city’s total. These statistics underscore the urgent need to transition to cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.

Its not only CO2

Furthermore, the findings reveal that an estimated 9,400 premature deaths in London are linked to long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and NO₂, emphasising the critical importance of reducing harmful emissions from commercial vehicles. With London seeing a 39% increase in freight and servicing vehicle kilometres in the past 25 years, it is crucial to address this issue promptly and effectively.

From the beginning, HVS has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and driving the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). HVS’ goal is to design and manufacture hydrogen-electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) that offer zero-emission transportation without compromising on performance and efficiency.

By switching to hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, significant carbon reductions can be achieved. Commercial fleets operating in London emit approximately 1.6 million tonnes of CO₂ annually^[2]. Using hydrogen to displace diesel would require approximately 155,000 tonnes of hydrogen, this would remove the 1.6 million tonnes of CO₂ together with the commensurate PM_2.5 and NOx.

Both hydrogen and diesel vehicles emit water vapour. The switch to hydrogen results in the emission of 1,396 ktonnes of water vapour, but this is zero carbon emissions. To put this into perspective, the water vapour is equivalent to just 0.88mm of rainfall annually across the Greater London area of 1,572sqkm.

Heavy Freight and Goods sector

Jawad Khursheed, CEO of HVS, said: “These staggering statistics show us how critical it is that we decarbonise the freight and heavy goods vehicle sectors and the potential to remove significant carbon emissions, harmful levels of PM_2.5 and NOx emissions from the capital. With consumer habits driving the need for more delivery vehicles on our roads, for the sake of our climate and health we cannot afford to continue using carbon-emitting vehicles. A truly viable zero-emission solution is presented with hydrogen. Our hydrogen HGV has enormous potential for reducing carbon emissions in the commercial freight sector, while also improving air quality and public health.

“Using our innovative powertrain, we can provide logistics and haulage companies with HGVs that have a performance parity of diesel equivalents yet emit just a small amount of water vapour from the tailpipe. We are committed to accelerating towards a greener and cleaner future.”

HVS’s cutting-edge hydrogen-electric Heavy Goods Vehicle presents a visionary, first-to-market solution to decarbonising road transport and eliminating these eye-opening statistics. The 40-tonne HGV features a unique powertrain aimed at optimising range, payload, weight distribution, with a sector-leading a 370-mile (600 kilometre) range and refuelling time of just 20 minutes. Additionally, the zero-emission powertrain will avoid the high costs associated with entering low or zero emission zones.

Sources:

TFL: Freight and Servicing Action Plan

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/freight-servicing-action-plan.pdf

TFL: Roads Task Force – Technical Note 3, Freight, servicing and logistics in London – what are the key industry trends?

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/technical-note-03-freight-servicing-and-logistics-in-london.pdf

BEIS: UK Local Authority GHG Emissions 2020