Experts are calling on policymakers around Europe to help boost the uptake of hydrogen vehicles in a bid to achieve lofty net zero goals by the end of the decade.
A new report from H2Accelerate has identified that between 70,000 and 85,000 hydrogen fuel cell heavy duty vehicles would be needed before the end of the decade.
This is being proposed as a way to achieve the European Union’s 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy duty vehicles by 45 per cent.
While many experts are predicting that this is possible, industry leaders note that between 3,000 and 3,600 high-capacity hydrogen refuelling stations would be required by 2030.
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This is “substantially more” than the 428 hydrogen refuelling stations with a minimum capacity of one tonne per day estimated by Hydrogen Europe required to meet targets.
The H2Accelerate collaboration, which includes the likes of Daimler Truck, Volvo, Iveco, BP and Shell, has called for policy support to advance the hydrogen infrastructure across Europe.
It targeted the European Commission to enable to scaled development of hydrogen fuel cell trucking and hydrogen refuelling stations across the continent.
One of the key points included in the strategy calls on member states to implement measures to achieve a total cost of ownership that is competitive with diesel trucks.
It suggests that this could be through a combination of increasing carbon taxes for diesel vehicles, while also providing credits for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to make them more affordable for motorists.
Other exemptions could include reduced road tolls around the continent and road tax exemptions for zero emission vehicles like hydrogen fuel cells and electric HGVs.
Niklas Gustafsson, head of public policy and regulatory affairs from Volvo Group, praised the development of the hydrogen infrastructure but acknowledged how improvements needed to be made.
He said: “At Volvo Group we recognise hydrogen as a key solution to decarbonise long distance trucking. However, we also see that today, the pathway to a positive business case is challenged.
“We are committed to realising the hydrogen trucking ecosystem, but we need to do this together with governments, through strong policy support to accelerate and sustain this ecosystem.
“We believe that recognition from all stakeholders on the challenges we are facing and the changes needed to resolve them is urgently needed.”
Other recommended actions for policymakers include a commitment to delivering on existing policy and regulatory frameworks alongside decarbonisation targets.
Hannah Bryson-Jones, spokesperson for the H2Accelerate collaboration, said the industry “could not afford to hold back investment” given the looming 2030 deadline.
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She added: “Hydrogen as fuel for heavy-duty road transport is still in the early stages of scale-up and investing in this technology currently presents a huge risk for companies working to decarbonise.
“The H2Accelerate collaboration is committed to work transparently with the European Commission to set out a roadmap and action plan to achieving 2030 targets.”
