Countries’ commitments to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions have prompted the automotive industry, which is one of the most carbon-emitting industries, to focus on alternative powertrain solutions, such as fuel cell electric powertrains and battery-electric vehicles, in order to meet zero-emission targets.

The prospect of fuel cell trucks in hydrogen economies is appealing to companies pursuing zero-emission mobility solutions, according to Frost & Sullivan’s recent research, Global Fuel Cell Trucks Growth Opportunities.

By 2030, the global market for fuel cell trucks is expected to reach 142,858 units, with China accounting for 63.9 percent of total global sales. Fuel cell truck adoption is being encouraged by regional governments and energy departments through incentives, tax credits, and subsidies. Demonstration project scenarios are also available.

Transport authorities and relevant companies are devising transition strategies and action plans to be competitive and maintain technology leadership. The following areas of exploration should be considered for growth:

Technological competence vital to be competitive against battery-electric and diesel powertrains: Invest in research and development and validation programs to attain targeted system efficiencies through collaboration with technical research firms and government authorities.
Expand capabilities, revamp strategies, and redefine goals to ensure long-term market sustainability: Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will need to exhibit agile strategies to develop ecosystems that support the operation of fuel cell trucks through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development.
Identify and map the opportunity landscape for fuel cell trucks across segments and different use cases: OEMs need to map the positioning of fuel cell trucks against battery-electric trucks and define their sales strategy to propel growth in target segments.

“Hydrogen is emerging as a promising substitute to fossil fuels. It is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly form of energy, which will most suitably serve long distance-traveling needs and segments that demand high uptime and availability,” said Jagadesh Chandran, Mobility Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “To overcome the challenges pertaining to technology, supply chain, infrastructure, and economic costs and in order to create a comprehensive hydrogen economy, the industry needs to hasten development to achieve economies of scale.”

Chandran added: “Opportunities for fuel cell trucks to grow in long-haul segments are evident when the industry transitions away from diesel engines. Major manufacturers are engaged in fuel cell vehicle development through cross-company and cross-regional collaborations to synergize and leverage existing know-how in technology, production and supply chain capabilities, and industry positioning.”