Owing to its higher energy density and lower weight, hydrogen has been touted as a potential alternative to electricity for powering zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks for long-haul fleets. However, transitioning to hydrogen as a potential fuel source for these types of vehicles faces challenges that may outweigh any potential benefits.

Here are some of the reasons electricity is a clear winner for fleets.

1. Availability

Electricity is everywhere. With the rise of charging infrastructure in cities, along highways and at depots, motor pools and even drivers’ homes, access to charging is becoming increasingly more convenient for fleets of all types and sizes.

Hydrogen infrastructure is not yet in place. There are currently few hydrogen refueling stations in operation (nearly all are in California), and the cost of building and managing them is high. It would take a significant investment to build out a nationwide hydrogen refueling network, and it isn’t clear there is enough demand to justify the investment.

By RJ Harrington, SVP of Business Development at National Car Charging

In the fall of 2022, CU Boulder kicked off their comprehensive Climate Action Plan and laid out a path for mitigating climate change by fully examining all campus operations and procurement with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving total operational carbon neutrality no later than 2050.

In addition to bringing electric fueling to their parking lots, the University’s Transportation Services team launched an aggressive electrification initiative from light to heavy duty vehicles just prior to the pandemic. Ten of fifty+ University’s Level-2 charging plugs are reserved specifically for this burgeoning campus fleet that is gradually shifting from fossil fuels to electricity.