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Prospects and impediments for hydrogen fuel cell buses

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  • Ajanovic, A.
  • Glatt, A.
  • Haas, R.

Abstract

The number of demonstration projects with fuel cell buses has been increasing worldwide. The goal of this paper is to analyse prospects and barriers for fuel cell buses focusing on their economic-, technical-, and environmental performance. Our results show that the prices of fuel cell buses, although decreasing over time, are still about 40% higher than those of diesel buses. With the looming ban of diesel vehicles, and current limitations of battery electric vehicles, fuel cell buses could become a viable alternative in the mid-to long-term. With the requirements for a better integration of renewable energy sources in the transport system, interest in hydrogen is rising. Hydrogen produced from renewables used in fuel cell buses has the potential to save about 93% of CO2 emissions in comparison to diesel buses. Yet, from environmental point-of-view it has to be ensured that hydrogen is produced from renewables. Currently, the major barrier, for a faster penetration of fuel cell buses are their high purchase prices, which could be significantly reduced with the increasing number of buses through technological learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Ajanovic, A. & Glatt, A. & Haas, R., 2021. "Prospects and impediments for hydrogen fuel cell buses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:235:y:2021:i:c:s0360544221015887
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121340
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    15. Rezk, Hegazy & Olabi, A.G. & Ferahtia, Seydali & Sayed, Enas Taha, 2022. "Accurate parameter estimation methodology applied to model proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
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    17. Badji, Abderrezak & Abdeslam, Djaffar Ould & Chabane, Djafar & Benamrouche, Nacereddine, 2022. "Real-time implementation of improved power frequency approach based energy management of fuel cell electric vehicle considering storage limitations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    18. Jovan, David Jure & Dolanc, Gregor & Pregelj, Boštjan, 2022. "Utilization of excess water accumulation for green hydrogen production in a run-of-river hydropower plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 780-794.
    19. Nithin Isaac & Akshay Kumar Saha, 2023. "Analysis of Refueling Behavior Models for Hydrogen-Fuel Vehicles: Markov versus Generalized Poisson Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    20. Çalışır, Duran & Ekici, Selcuk & Midilli, Adnan & Karakoc, T. Hikmet, 2023. "Benchmarking environmental impacts of power groups used in a designed UAV: Hybrid hydrogen fuel cell system versus lithium-polymer battery drive system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
    21. Wu, Yunna & Liu, Fangtong & He, Jiaming & Wu, Man & Ke, Yiming, 2021. "Obstacle identification, analysis and solutions of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for application in China under the carbon neutrality target," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    22. Sadik-Zada, Elkhan Richard & Santibanez Gonzalez, Ernesto DR & Gatto, Andrea & Althaus, Tomasz & Quliyev, Fuad, 2023. "Pathways to the hydrogen mobility futures in German public transportation: A scenario analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 384-392.
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