Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for greener tomorrow

As India accelerates its transition to sustainable transportation, major players across sectors are embracing green hydrogen mobility. Last week, India’s first hydrogen-powered truck was deployed for mining logistics in Chhattisgarh.

This was followed by the Indian Oil Corporation signing an MoU with Hyundai Motor India to explore the feasibility of mass-market adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), while Indian Railways announced plans for a hydrogen-powered train.

These developments prompt a closer examination of the technology enabling this transition –  hydrogen fuel cells that power Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 

How hydrogen fuel cells work 

Hydrogen Fuel Cells (HFCs) generate high-quality electric power that is clean, quiet, and consistently reliable by converting the chemical energy stored in Hydrogen into electrical energy. The primary components of an HFC are the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) and the bipolar plates. 

The MEA is where the electrochemical reaction takes place. It consists of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) placed between two catalyst layers – anode (where hydrogen gas enters the fuel cell) and cathode (where oxygen from the air enters). Surrounding them are Gas Diffusion Layers that help distribute reactant gases (hydrogen and oxygen) and remove byproducts (water and heat).

Let’s understand it in detail. First, hydrogen fuel (H2) is passed through the anode and is split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-) via oxidation using a catalyst. Then the PEM allows only protons to pass through to the cathode. Electrons flow through an external circuit, generating electricity. At the cathode, oxygen (O2) from the air interacts with the catalyst and undergoes reduction. 

Subsequently, Oxygen reacts with the protons that have passed through the membrane, and the electrons from the external circuit to produce water (H2O). The bipolar plates facilitate gas distribution, electron conduction between cells in a stack, and heat management. 

This continuous electrochemical process converts the chemical energy of hydrogen directly into electrical energy with water vapour as the only byproduct. This continuous process can generate energy as long as fuel and oxidants are supplied. Due to their operation via electrochemical reactions, HFCs have no moving parts, making their operation silent and highly reliable. 

Benefits of Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles 

These technological advantages of HFCs form the backbone of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs), which represent a significant innovation in clean transportation. As mentioned earlier, they run on electric motors powered by fuel cells, which generate electricity through the electrochemical reaction of compressed hydrogen with atmospheric oxygen — emitting only water vapour as a byproduct. 

Since they use electric motors, HFCVs are classified as Electric Vehicles (EVs). They produce much smaller quantities of greenhouse gases and none of the air pollutants that cause health problems. Given that hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, it holds strong potential as a viable alternative to conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.

Thus, HFCVs offer a vast array of advantages in the quest for clean and sustainable transportation systems. They have no tailpipe emissions other than water vapour, ensuring the prevention of localised air pollution – this can be of critical importance for cities struggling with poor air quality. 

HFCVs also support rapid refueling, comparable to conventional ICE vehicles, and provide extended driving ranges. This alleviates concerns regarding range limitations and lengthy recharge times often associated with battery EVs. Their silent operation and efficient energy conversion process are further advantages.

Additionally, hydrogen’s high energy-to weight ratio allows for longer ranges without requiring excessively large or heavy fuel storage, making it ideal for larger vehicles like buses and trucks where downtime for charging can be a significant issue. However, HFCVs have challenges too. 

Challenges 

Despite the impressive potential of HFCVs, there are a few drawbacks that hinder their large-scale adoption. Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in India is minimal, limiting the range and operational viability of such vehicles. 

Further, the costs of producing Hydrogen, its compression, transportation and storage are exorbitant, particularly when using sustainable methods. Therefore, the initial capital outlay required to create HFCVs and supporting infrastructure is significantly higher than that for battery electric vehicles (EVs). 

The high cost of materials and limited scale of production adds to the issue. There is also a need to improve the overall lifespan and durability of fuel cells. Finally, public concerns regarding the safety of hydrogen, despite stringent safety measures in place, may slow the adoption of HCFVs. 

It is important to note that while HFCVs ensure clean transport and prevent carbon emissions during operation, their overall sustainability depends on the source of the hydrogen they use. For HFCVs to be truly clean and sustainable, the hydrogen must be Green  Hydrogen, produced via the electrolysis of water using renewable energy. This process has near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Other forms of hydrogen – Blue Hydrogen produced from fossil fuels with carbon capture, Gray Hydrogen produced from natural gas, and Brown Hydrogen produced from brown coal – all emit carbon at various levels and are thus not considered clean energy sources.  

Government initiatives supporting clean energy transition 

The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023,  recognising the role of Green Hydrogen in India’s ambitions of energy independence by 2047 and Net Zero by 2070. Supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), NGHM views Green Hydrogen as a sunrise sector for India. It has the objective of making India a global hub for the production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. 

To achieve these objectives the mission aims to build capacity to produce at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum. The NGHM has identified heavy-duty, long-haul transportation as a key area where HFCVs can make optimal impact. It has mooted the idea of ‘Hydrogen Highways’ – along which Hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure and refuelling stations are established – to enable unhindered, zero-emission movement of commercial vehicles such as inter-state buses and freight trucks.

The Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) programme is a strategic initiative under the  NGHM to promote the deployment of hydrogen technologies across various sectors within  specific geographical regions, creating integrated ‘hydrogen ecosystems’ or ‘hydrogen valleys.’  The main focus sectors of the HVIC programme are mobility, industry and energy. 

By creating clusters of hydrogen activity, the programme aims to accelerate technological development and build necessary infrastructure to make green hydrogen a viable and sustainable energy solution for India through a phased, decentralised approach. HVIC projects have already been initiated in  Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

To sum up, the large-scale adoption of HFCVs necessitates a multi-pronged effort. There is a need to scale up the production of Green Hydrogen and establish hydrogen refuelling centres across the country, realising the concept of Hydrogen Highways. Equally important is the need to support Research and Development in the field of hydrogen cells to reduce cost and improve the durability of these cells. 

In addition, supportive government policies and incentives, including subsidies and mandates for clean vehicle adoption, can help drive early adoption by consumers. The establishment  of a clean hydrogen economy will significantly contribute to India’s clean energy and Net Zero targets.

Post Read Questions

Why is hydrogen considered a clean energy source for transportation? How do hydrogen fuel cells work?

Widespread adoption of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles can significantly improve air quality in India’s most polluted cities. Comment.

How do the operational advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (e.g., silent operation, rapid refueling) stack up against their technical and economic challenges?

How does the National Green Hydrogen Mission aim to position India as a global leader in hydrogen energy?

What role can Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles play in India’s broader clean energy and Net Zero strategies by 2047 and 2070?

(Kannan K is a doctoral candidate in Political Science at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.)

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