7 Most Commonly Asked Questions About Hydrogen Trucks

Hydrogen trucks are still in a nascent stage and the mass adoption will take time. Here are the most asked questions, answered, about Hydrogen Trucks in India.

The government and the commercial vehicle industry are focused on reducing the carbon footprint of the CVs in India. Technologies such as LNG, EV, and Hydrogen-powered vehicles are being explored. While EVs are being touted as the future-ready technology, hydrogen-fuel cell-powered vehicles can also be a tech that can revolutionize the CV industry. With the tech being so new, there must be a plethora of questions in your mind. Here are the 7 most commonly asked questions about hydrogen trucks and their answers.

1. What is the range of the hydrogen truck?
   There are not many hydrogen trucks being sold in India. Hydrogen trucks are in the prototype stage and it will take a few years for them to be ready for the Indian market. That being said, the range of hydrogen trucks such as Eicher Pro 3015 Fuel Cell, Tata Prima H.55 S, etc are going to have a range of around 350-500 km per refueling. The major benefit apart from the long range is the time taken for refueling. It takes only 15-20 minutes to refuel a hydrogen tank, as opposed to at least 1 hour of charging time for an EV, that too with a fast charger. 

2. Are there any hydrogen-powered trucks?
   4 major hydrogen-powered trucks have been launched in India and will be available soon. These are Tata Prima H.55S, Tata Prima E.55S, Eicher Pro 3015 Fuel Cell, and Ashok Leyland 4125 HN. Apart from this, Reliance Industries has announced to transform their 5,000 ICE truck fleet into hydrogen-powered trucks. For this, the company will use the hydrogen produced at the Jamnagar facility.

3. Are hydrogen trucks better than electric?
   Hydrogen-powered trucks are better in terms of less refueling time, higher range, better energy efficiency, and power output. But, infrastructure, especially in India, favors electric trucks for now. Hydrogen fuel infrastructure is still in the cradle stage and it will take a few years for us to be able to determine the scale. EV, on the other hand, has better infrastructure support. 

4. Which is the first hydrogen truck in India?
   Reliance and Ashok Leyland revealed India’s first hydrogen truck back in 2023. It is the H2-ICE powered truck which has a similar architecture as that of the conventional diesel-based trucks. It was flagged by PM Narendra Modi on 7th February 2023. The payload capacity of this truck is between 19 to 35 tonnes. Do note that this hydrogen truck is yet to launch.

5. How much does a hydrogen truck cost?
   While there are no hydrogen-powered trucks on sale currently in India, we can expect the prices of announced hydrogen trucks to be around Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 28 lakhs (Ex-Showroom). It will be similar to the BEV when it comes to the pricing. As for the cost of green hydrogen fuel, it is priced at around Rs.300 to 400 per kg. 

6. How safe are hydrogen trucks?
   Hydrogen-powered trucks are very safe. Hydrogen is inflammable, but the manufacturers are ensuring the best safety features and standards. Hydrogen, in general, is a non-toxic gas and dissolves rapidly when released into the air. In case of a leak, you have to ensure that there is nothing that can cause flame or ignition of the fuel. 

7. Can I convert my truck to hydrogen?
   By theory, a conventional truck can be converted into a hydrogen-powered truck. Reliance Industries has already announced its plans to retrofit its 5000 ICE trucks with hydrogen-powered powertrains. But, you cannot convert your truck to a hydrogen truck by yourself. Hydrogen fuel requires high standards of safety when it comes to storing and that can only be achieved with precision manufacturing. It is highly advised NOT to convert your truck to a hydrogen truck on your own. 

Government of India on hydrogen adoption

The government is promoting the hydrogen production and infrastructure with some schemes. Government has introduced National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023 which aims to establish India as a global leader in green hydrogen production, usage, and export. This is what the mission aims:

• Providing incentives for electrolyser manufacturing (used to produce green hydrogen from renewable energy) and green hydrogen production itself. This will help in driving the production cost down.

• Mandating for minimum green hydrogen consumption in specific sectors (like steel, fertilizers, refineries).

• By developing supportive policies and strategic partnerships to encourage green hydrogen export. 

The government is also keen on developing hydrogen infrastructure to support the supply of green hydrogen for usage. This mission is aimed on identifying regions that are suitable for large-scale hydrogen production and utilization. Government is also exploring collaboration with private companies to boost hydrogen production.

NLP or the National Logistics Policy also aims on multi-modal infrastructure which can include the development of hydrogen refueling stations along key transportation corridors. The NLP's emphasis on technology adoption could incentivize research and development in hydrogen fuel cell technology and green hydrogen production.

How do the HFCV and Hydrogen IC engines work?

A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is an electric vehicle, the only difference is the source of the electricity. Instead of using the conventional source, hydrogen fuel cell is used. The chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. Hydrogen fuel is fed to the anode and air is fed to the cathode. This process of electrolysis creates electricity which is then used to power the vehicle.

A hydrogen IC engine works similarly to a conventional diesel engine. One of the major differences is the combustion of the fuel. Hydrogen IC engine emits up to 99% less carbon emissions as compared to diesel engines. It’s considered to be a nearly zero-emission technology. Although, a hydrogen IC engine does have NOx emissions. Another difference when compared to diesel engines is that hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines require spark plugs. H2-powered IC engines also require stringent safety measures as compared to their conventional counterparts as hydrogen in itself is highly volatile.

So, here’s everything you need to know about hydrogen trucks and their possible future in India. It might be to soon to say whether the hydrogen fuel adoption will scale in India or not, but it surely seems to have a bright future with all the push from manufacturers and the government.