Cummins Engine Company of Columbus, Indiana (Mike Pence's hometown) has brought out a pure electric semi product for integration into truck products by other companies, and is now adding a hydrogen fuel cell truck. Cummins makes engines for trucks, ships, trains and more in a variety of technologies, including diesel, natural gas, pure electric, and now hydrogen fuel cells. It began more than a century ago with diesel engines, and has been a world leader in diesel technology. Although diesel will be around for decades to come, Cummins is preparing to convert to whatever technologies the market demands.
What are the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology?
Today, compared to electric batteries, fuel cell powertrains would have a higher energy density and are quicker to refuel, making them more suitable for applications with longer daily ranges that cannot be accomplished by batteries alone.
Analyses indicate, for example, that PEM fuel cells could be a viable solution for medium to long haul trucks, while battery only vehicles may be more suitable for short haul vehicles. Currently, the battery capacity needed for the range requirements of long-haul, and the resulting weight from the batteries, is prohibitive for trucks that need to reserve that weight for their load. Because fuel cells have higher energy density and lessen the battery capacity needed, it can create significant improvements in tractor weight while still providing adequate range. And when vehicles do need to refuel, for the near future hydrogen refueling is much quicker compared to recharging batteries despite evolving recharging technologies. Fuel cells also offer great flexibility due to their modular design: fuel cell systems and storage tanks can be tailored to meet the needs of different applications across different markets.
Lastly, and very importantly, hydrogen can be sourced from water using a process called electrolysis, which uses electricity to separate a water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen. Thus, fuel cells can be a decarbonized source of energy.
Now, we have to note that hydrogen also has issues.
- It can leak through any metal, because hydrogen molecules are smaller than the spaces between atoms in solids.
- Hydrogen makes metals brittle.
- There are only a few dozen places to fill up on hydrogen in the US so far.
On the other hand, hydrogen can be produced from water anywhere that there is electricity. Energy-intensive industries always used to prefer locations near hydroelectric dams, when they were the cheapest sources of electricity. Now it can be near any solar or wind farm.