Future of Electric and Hydrogen Cars and Trucks: An Overview

Aiman Albatayneh, Adel Juaidi, Mustafa Jaradat and Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro ()
Additional contact information
Aiman Albatayneh: School of Natural Resources Engineering and Management, German Jordanian University, Amman P.O. Box 35247, Jordan
Adel Juaidi: Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus 00970, Palestine
Mustafa Jaradat: School of Natural Resources Engineering and Management, German Jordanian University, Amman P.O. Box 35247, Jordan
Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro: Department of Engineering, University of Almeria, ceiA3, 04120 Almeria, Spain

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: The negative consequences of toxic emissions from internal combustion engines, energy security, climate change, and energy costs have led to a growing demand for clean power sources in the automotive industry. The development of eco-friendly vehicle technologies, such as electric and hydrogen vehicles, has increased. This article investigates whether hydrogen vehicles will replace electric vehicles in the future. The results showed that fuel-cell cars are unlikely to compete with electric cars. This is due to the advancements in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, which are becoming more cost-effective and efficient. Additionally, the technical progress in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is expected to reduce the market share of fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in passenger vehicles. However, significant investments have been made in hydrogen cars. Many ongoing investments seem to follow the sunk cost fallacy, where decision-makers continue to invest in an unprofitable project due to their already invested resources. Furthermore, even with megawatt charging, fuel-cell trucks cost more than battery-powered electric trucks. The use cases for fuel-cell electric trucks are also much more limited, as their running expenses are higher compared to electric cars. Hydrogen vehicles may be beneficial for heavy transport in remote areas. However, it remains to be seen if niche markets are large enough to support fuel-cell electric truck commercialization and economies of scale. In summary, we believe that hydrogen vehicles will not replace electric cars and trucks, at least before 2050.

Keywords: hydrogen cars and trucks; electric cars and trucks; future transportation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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