As more zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates are adopted globally, clean commercial transportation options are proliferating. Vehicle electrification is accepted as the inevitable pathway to zero emissions for all forms of motive power.
Yet battery-only electric vehicles (BEVs) will not work for many commercial operations due to their size, weight and susceptibility to environmental factors that diminish their performance. Even when BEVs can be used for the duty-cycles and operating conditions required, the required electrical infrastructure for charging can be prohibitive for fleets – not to mention the productivity losses associated with the downtime required for battery charging.
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) represent the only hydrogen option to achieve true zero-emissions performance for heavy-duty on- and off-road applications. Now reaching technological maturity and widespread availability, fuel cells are being adopted as the technology of choice by an increasing number of vehicle manufacturers for their electrified powertrains.
Key advantages of vehicles and equipment powered by Nuvera® E-Series Fuel Cell Engines include:
- Zero NOx, SOx and particulate matter emissions
- Payload capacity comparable to gasoline/diesel engines
- Fast refueling
- Easy integration into electrified vehicle platforms
Hydrogen power alternatives such as internal combustion engines (ICE)s produce hazardous NOx and unburned hydrocarbon emissions, and exhaust pre- and after-treatment is expensive.
FCEVs are approximately twice as efficient as vehicles powered by hydrogen ICEs. With fuel accounting for the biggest share of cost of ownership, reducing fuel consumption has a major impact on the economic viability of hydrogen powered vehicles. Moreover, the mechanical rotary output from ICEs is not well-suited to the transition to electric vehicle platforms, and so do not contribute to the advances urgently needed to develop zero-emissions solutions at a mass scale.
Fuel cell electric vehicles meet ZEV regulatory requirements, drive longer distances, and use significantly less fuel. Best of all, Nuvera® E-Series Fuel Cell Engines to power them are available NOW.