The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is making a significant investment in the future of hydrogen fuel cells for heavy-duty and off-road vehicles.
Aiming to test the viability of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source, the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office is dedicating approximately $4 million to establish a new research facility at Argonne National Laboratory.
Scheduled to open in the fall of 2025, the new facility at Argonne National Laboratory will focus on researching polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems ranging from 150 to 600 kilowatts. These systems will be evaluated for their suitability in a variety of heavy-duty applications, including railroad locomotives, heavy trucks, marine vessels, and machinery used in mining and agriculture.
Ted Krause, Argonne’s laboratory program manager for hydrogen and fuel cell programs, highlighted the facility’s role as a national resource for the analysis and testing of heavy-duty fuel cell systems. This infrastructure aims to advance fuel cell performance, facilitating the integration of this technology into various transportation applications.
Argonne’s extensive experience with fuel cell research, dating back to its Fuel Cell Test Facility which operated from 1996 to 2012, positions it well to lead this new initiative. However, the effectiveness of this project will be measured against current industry benchmarks. Companies like Hyzon Motors and New Way Trucks are already pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology in heavy-duty vehicles, such as the first American hydrogen fuel cell garbage truck introduced in Las Vegas. This vehicle, which only emits water vapor, exemplifies the potential of hydrogen fuel cells to reduce pollution.
Heavy-duty vehicles are significant contributors to environmental pollution. According to the UN Environment Programme, emissions from these vehicles have increased by over 30% since 2000, accounting for a substantial share of nitrogen oxide pollution, fine particulate matter, and black carbon emissions. The potential for green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, to mitigate these pollutants is substantial. By cutting these emissions, green hydrogen can help protect communities from the adverse effects of climate change, such as crop failures and extreme weather events.
