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HGV Power of the Future

Electric Battery Vs Hydrogen Cell

Zed Aziz
24th April 2023
The future of HGVs is a hot topic of discussion, with many different opinions on what will power these vehicles in the years to come. Some believe that electric HGVs are the future, while others believe that hydrogen fuel cells will be the way to go. There are also those who think that a combination of both technologies will be necessary to meet the needs of the industry.
So, what will power the future HGVs? It's hard to say for sure, but there are a few things that we can be certain of. First, HGVs will need to be more efficient than they are today. Second, they will need to be zero-emissions vehicles. And third, they will need to be able to travel long distances without refuelling.
Electric HGVs have the potential to meet all of these requirements. They are already becoming more efficient, and battery technology is improving all the time. In addition, there is a growing network of electric charging stations being built around the world. This makes electric HGVs a viable option for long-haul trucking.
Hydrogen fuel cells are another option for powering HGVs. They are zero-emissions vehicles, and they have a more extended range than electric HGVs. However, hydrogen fuel cells are still relatively expensive, and there is limited infrastructure for refuelling hydrogen vehicles.
It is possible that a combination of electric and hydrogen HGVs will be the best solution for the future. Electric HGVs could be used for short-haul deliveries, while hydrogen HGVs could be used for long-haul trucking. This would allow for the most efficient use of both technologies.
Ultimately, the future of HGVs will depend on a number of factors, including the cost of technology, the availability of infrastructure, and government regulations. However, it is clear that the future of HGVs will be zero-emissions vehicles.
In addition to the technologies mentioned above, several other factors could play a role in the future of HGVs. These include:

- The development of self-driving trucks. Self-driving trucks have the potential to revolutionise the trucking industry by reducing costs and improving safety.
- The use of alternative fuels, such as biofuels and compressed natural gas. Alternative fuels could help to reduce the environmental impact of HGVs.
- The development of new materials and technologies that could make HGVs lighter and more fuel-efficient.

PROS

Electric HGVs

  • Zero emissions

  • Low noise pollution

  • Decreasing cost of batteries

  • Growing network of charging stations

Hydrogen fuel cell HGVs

  • Zero emissions

  • Long range

  • Fast refuelling times

  • Lighter weight than electric HGVs

  • The greener choice

CONS

Electric HGVs

  • Limited range

  • Long charging times

  • High upfront cost

  • Heavy batteries

Hydrogen fuel cell HGVs

  • High cost of hydrogen

  • Limited infrastructure for refuelling hydrogen vehicles

  • Safety concerns (highly flammable)

  • Lagging technology

  • Regulation framework

It is also important to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) of both types of HGVs. The TCO includes the purchase price, the cost of fuel, the cost of maintenance, and the cost of depreciation. The TCO of electric HGVs is expected to decrease in the coming years, as the cost of batteries continues to decrease. However, the TCO of hydrogen fuel cell HGVs is still expected to be higher than the TCO of electric HGVs.

Ultimately, the best choice for HGVs will depend on a number of factors, including the cost of technology, the availability of infrastructure, and government regulations. However, it is clear that both electric and hydrogen fuel cell HGVs have the potential to play a role in the future of the trucking industry.

The market leaders for HGVs vary depending on the type of fuel. For electric HGVs, the market leaders are Tesla, Daimler, and Volvo. For hydrogen fuel cell HGVs, the market leaders are Toyota, Hyundai, and Nikola.

Here is a more detailed overview of the market leaders for each type of fuel:

Electric HGVs

  • Tesla is the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, and they are also a leader in the development of electric HGVs. Tesla's Semi truck is expected to be released in 2023.

  • Daimler is a German automaker that is also a leader in the development of electric HGVs. Daimler's eActros truck is already on the market, and they are planning to release a longer-range version in 2023.

  • Volvo is a Swedish automaker that is also a leader in the development of electric HGVs. Volvo's FL Electric truck is already on the market, and they are planning to release a larger truck in 2023.

 Hydrogen fuel cell HGVs

  • Toyota is a Japanese automaker that is also a leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Toyota's Mirai truck is already on the market, and they are planning to release a larger truck in 2023.

  • Hyundai is a South Korean automaker that is also a leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai's Xcient Fuel Cell truck is already on the market, and they are planning to release a larger truck in 2023.

  • Nikola is an American company that is developing hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Nikola's Tre truck is expected to be released in 2023.

It is important to note that the market for HGVs is still in its early stages, and the market leaders are likely to change in the coming years. As the technology improves and the cost of HGVs decreases, we can expect to see more competition in the market.

This might be a race similar to the Betamax vs VHS (for those who are old enough to remember) or more recently the battle between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, although saying that our bets are on a hybrid solution which allows both technologies to work side by side for an ultimate fuel solution for the haulage & transport industries.
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