Mapping Technological Paths with Patents: A Study on Hydrogen Generation via Electrolysis for Transport Applications

With the global emergency triggered by the oil crisis and the climate conferences initiated in the 1970s, many countries around the world found themselves compelled to seek alternatives to oil. This led, particularly in the transport sector—one of the largest consumers of oil and emitters of pollutants—to developments aimed at enabling plant-based biofuels, fleet electrification, and the use of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen. Hydrogen, which can be produced through various methods, from oil transformation to molecular water splitting, emerges as a key prospect for achieving the full decarbonization of the global economy. However, the challenges of making it widespread encounter barriers that remain difficult to overcome. Using the methodology of social network analysis, this study aims to map the main trajectory of patents involved in consolidating the processes for hydrogen production through electrolysis, specifically for applications in the transport sector—a sustainable method with potential for widespread adoption due to its high energy efficiency. The results reveal the prevalence of patents that combine electrolytic transformation with internal combustion systems reliant on fossil fuels, an outcome unexpected from a sustainability standpoint. These findings underscore the need to identify a secondary trajectory with clearer advancements toward sustainability. This research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 13, and 11.