Dear Readers
With the ever-increasing fuel cost and concerns over pollution, most of us run through a thought, at least once a day – “what’s the sustainable alternative”? Most of us willingly or unwillingly see EVs as the option. But what would be the way to electrify? Will lithium-ion, sulfur-ion or hydrogen fuel cell be the ultimate answer?
We have seen the traditional electrification by way of Li-ion powered battery accelerating and the market has been covered pretty well. So, what’s the next big bet where you can build your future business growth? Has hydrogen come as an option to you? Then let me put you through, what opportunities does this open up, and can this be the next big thing of the century?
You all must have noticed how most of the automobile majors and governments are betting big on hydrogen fuel. Especially, in the last few months from about 3 fuel-cell-powered cars on sale globally, a number of carmakers have lined up their launches. BMW tests hydrogen-powered X5, Hyundai plans to debut in Motorsports with Fuel cell while several other automotive giants have beefed up their plans. It also aims to deploy 30 fuel cell electric Heavy Duty trucks in California by 2023. The Korean carmaker’s chief also explained why the company bet on fuel cells.
While global automotive giant Toyota Motor Corp after successful work in the car segment has developed a hydrogen fuel cell system for heavy-duty trucks.
Other global auto majors Daimler and Volvo plan hydrogen fuel cell production in Europe in 2025.
The large freight-hauling trucks makers formed their joint venture, cell-centric, in March with an aim to start large-scale fuel production in 2022.
Dheeraj Gopichand Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland Group and Switch Mobility, last week asserted that for long haulage trucks hydrogen will be the most economical and sustainable option in the long term.
Endorsing the strong future of hydrogen world’s one of the richest men Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries plans to invest Rs 75,000-crore.
In recent times, India’s Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has been highlighting the importance of this fuel. He said that the Government is looking for prospects about green hydrogen as potential transport fuel. Recently, Delhi HC asked the Centre to consider including hydrogen fuel cells in FAME-II and NTPC arm buying hydrogen buses for Delhi and Leh.
On the global turf, the investment in hydrogen fuel fell by 20% last year, but the same has been reinvigorated as reports suggest that fuel cell EV market is set to grow, generates USD 3,000 m revenue in 2020.
According to a report, in the next one decade, about 8% of car sales will be powered by fuel cells and the number will be 28% by then. The technology looks lucrative as unlike Li-ion etc, this doesn’t have the challenge of scarce resources of the same intensity as the former ones thus making it a sustainable one. The architecture of the vehicle is also not a major concern. Many manufacturers are aggressively working on developing systems for Hydrogen and also storage for hydrogen.
All links have been deliberately embedded to help you get a complete picture of the status and future of hydrogen. If you have any further suggestions, feel free to write to me directly.
Wish you a happy reading!
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The hydrogen fuel cell technology (HFC) is the latest the Union government has adopted for the cleaner and greener operation of electric buses. The technology is up for trial. The centre has selected UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) for the launch of the HFC technology as a pilot project.
Under the MOU, the two parties will develop a hydrogen fuel cell package dedicated for mobile power generators and alternative maritime power (AMP) supply solutions, based on Hyundai Motor’s polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system that is used in Hyundai Motor’s fuel cell vehicles.
Addressing a conference on ‘Hydrogen and Gas Based Mobility’, Gadkari also said that with the large solar, wind, hydro, and waste potential in India, the country can lead the world in green hydrogen production.
