(Brussels/Potsdam) – Seven European truck manufacturers have agreed that their new vehicles will have to be fossil fuel-free from 2040. Signatories include CNH, Daimler, DAF, Ford, MAN, Scania and Volvo. In order to develop a roadmap to climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, the companies have joined forces with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) under the umbrella of the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA).
Manufacturers demand a dense network for infrastructure
The project requires a paradigm shift. The joint statement also outlines conditions for transforming freight transport on roads. These include policy options such as road pricing based on CO2 emissions and an energy taxation system based on carbon and energy content. “A dense network of charging and refueling infrastructure suitable for trucks” is also crucial for the operation of emission-free heavy-duty vehicles.
According to ACEA and PIK, a robust carbon pricing system could be one of the most effective tools. Emission-free vehicles would have a harder time establishing themselves on the market as long as diesel remains cheap.
Study: Hydrogen plays an important role
Close to the agreement, the EU-supported Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH 2 JU) published the study “Fuel Cells Hydrogen Trucks”. The transition to zero- and low-emission vehicles based on alternative propulsion solutions such as fuel cell and hydrogen propulsion (FCH) or battery-electric drives is the most important lever for meeting stricter emissions standards, it says.
The study offers a comparison of alternative drive technologies for heavy trucks (HDT) and analyzes the state of the art. The authors have also developed a full cost calculation. This includes all expenses incurred over the entire life cycle (total cost of ownership analysis, TCO). The comparison shows “that FCH applications represent a promising zero-emissions alternative”. “Due to their high operational flexibility and relatively short refueling time, FCH-HDTs are particularly suitable for long-haul operations.”
FCH drive competitive by 2027
From a TCO perspective, FCH-HDT could become cost competitive by 2027. The prerequisite for this is that the production of FCH trucks is ramped up and hydrogen is offered for less than six euros per kilogram. In a base scenario, the study predicts a potential FCH sales share of 17 percent of new trucks sold in 2030 (around 59.500 vehicles).
In the short term, a cost premium of up to 22 percent is expected for FCH trucks compared to diesel trucks. “The commercialization of FCH technology for the HDT industry is still at an early stage and the first trucks are only just becoming available on the market,” the paper says. Today, the low production volumes of prototypes have resulted in relatively high production costs of both vehicles and hydrogen (H2). In addition, the H2 refueling infrastructure must be expanded significantly and synchronized with the sale of FCH trucks.
Regulations for ramping up the market
However, realizing this market potential depends on creating a financial and regulatory system that equally supports all stakeholders: manufacturers, truck fleet operators, logistics users and fuel and infrastructure providers. While subsidies and tax exemptions are important instruments for driving forward the development of FCH technology for trucks, an important lever for the competitiveness of emission-free technologies lies in efficient CO2 pricing. The introduction of emission-based toll systems or exceptions to existing systems are other important instruments.
470 million euros required
FCH technology in the heavy-duty vehicle sector still faces several obstacles before commercial deployment is possible. The study identifies 22 technological and non-technological barriers, none of which would stop commercialization. To overcome this, four tailor-made projects should be initiated with an estimated total budget of 470 million euros. In particular, standardizing onboard hydrogen storage could accelerate product development of FCH trucks and hydrogen refueling station infrastructure.
“FCH 2 JU” is a technology initiative between industry and politics (public-private partnership) based in Brussels. Members include the European Commission, the industry association “Hydrogen Europe” and the association of research institutions and universities “Hydrogen Europe Research”.
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: “Fuel Cells Hydrogen Trucks. “Heavy-Duty’s High Performance Green Solution”. The summary of the study is available free of charge as a PDF (60 pages, English)
FCH 2 JU study
https://www.fch.europa.eu/sites/default/files/FCH%20Docs/201211%20FCH%20HDT%20-%20Study%20Summary_final_vs.pdf
deep link
https://www.pik-potsdam.de/de/aktuelles/nachrichten/alle-neu-verkauften-lastwagen-muessen-bis-2040-frei-von-fossilen-brennstoffen-sein-erklaeren-fahrzeughersteller-und-klimaforscher
https://www.acea.be/press-releases/article/all-new-trucks-sold-must-be-fossil-free-by-2040-agree-truck-makers-and-clim
https://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/acea-pik-joint-statement-the-transition-to-zero-emission-road-freight-trans.pdf
Photos
European manufacturers agree to end diesel trucks / © European Commission
