Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Trucking

Hydrogen fuel cells (FCEVs) are identified as a more efficient alternative to internal combustion engines for heavy-duty trucking, particularly for long-haul and drayage operations where minimizing downtime is critical. Projections for the California market suggest FCEVs could serve 60% of long-haul and 35% of drayage trips by 2045. However, widespread adoption depends on hydrogen reaching price parity with diesel (approximately $4-$5/kg) and overcoming infrastructure delays and maintenance issues.

• Hydrogen fuel cells are approximately 20% more efficient than internal combustion engines, meaning 1 kilogram of hydrogen is equivalent to 1.28 gallons of diesel. Using hydrogen in fuel cells is also more energy efficient than synthesizing it into a hydrocarbon for combustion in traditional engines.
• In the California trucking market, UC Davis Institute for Transportation analysis projects that by 2045, FCEVs will serve approximately 60% of long-haul trips and 35% of drayage trips.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (2025). Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Trucking. https://www.catf.us/resource/hydrogen-fuel-cells-heavy-duty-trucking/

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Trucking. 2025. https://www.catf.us/resource/hydrogen-fuel-cells-heavy-duty-trucking/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Trucking |date=14 March 2025 |url=https://www.catf.us/resource/hydrogen-fuel-cells-heavy-duty-trucking/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforce2025hydrogen, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Trucking}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/resource/hydrogen-fuel-cells-heavy-duty-trucking/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }