What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is highly flammable in its pure form. Furthermore, hydrogen is the simplest, lightest, and most abundant element in the universe. It exists in various forms, but in the Netherlands, we primarily discuss green hydrogen, gray hydrogen, and blue hydrogen.

Types of hydrogen: Green, gray, and blue

When talking about hydrogen, three main types are distinguished: green hydrogen, gray hydrogen, and blue hydrogen.

Gray hydrogen: Gray hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, mainly natural gas, through a process called steam reforming. This process heats natural gas (methane) and converts it into hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, the process releases CO₂, making it harmful to the environment.

Blue hydrogen: Blue hydrogen is produced in the same way as gray hydrogen, but the difference lies in capturing and storing the CO₂. This significantly reduces emissions. Blue hydrogen is considered an ideal transitional step between gray hydrogen and green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen: Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. Through a process called electrolysis, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen without emitting CO₂. This is the most sustainable form of hydrogen as it only uses water and green energy. It is the hydrogen of the future that we aim to adopt.

Is hydrogen dangerous?

Hydrogen is highly reactive and can cause materials to corrode. It is also more flammable than natural gas and has a wider explosive range, which is why it’s classified as a hazardous substance. However, compared to natural gas or gasoline, hydrogen is not inherently more dangerous. It’s crucial to handle hydrogen based on its unique properties, as these differ from fossil fuels. Fortunately, hydrogen is non-toxic, so it poses no risks if inhaled.

How does driving on hyrogen work?

Driving on hydrogen works differently from driving on conventional fuels like diesel. There are two main ways trucks can operate using hydrogen:

Hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines: This approach is similar to the technology used in engines for compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid (bio)gas. Known as hydrogen combustion engines, these use hydrogen directly to power the motor.

Using hydrogen in fuel cells: In this method, hydrogen is converted into electricity within a fuel cell, which powers the vehicle. Hydrogen serves as a range extender for battery-electric vehicles, making it particularly attractive for long distances, such as international transport.

How much does hydrogen refueling cost?

Currently, hydrogen is not cheaper than diesel. The price of hydrogen is about twice as high, making it less appealing to switch at this point. The primary reason is the high production cost. However, production costs are expected to decrease significantly in the future. With government support and increasing demand, hydrogen can be produced on a larger scale, lowering prices. Combined with rising diesel prices, this could make hydrogen a popular alternative in the future.

Are hydrogen trucks available?

Several brands have already begun producing and selling hydrogen trucks. For example: Volvo has been developing a hydrogen truck since 2020, DAF is working on the next-generation DAF XF, which features an internal hydrogen combustion engine, MAN has introduced a truck with a hydrogen combustion engine, meeting the regulations for planned zero-emission zones.

To opt for hydrogen or not?

Are you considering whether switching to a hydrogen truck is the right choice for you? Here’s a summary of the pros and cons to help you decide:

Advantages of hydrogen: Faster refueling times, longer range, green hydrogen emits no CO₂, hydrogen trucks are quiet and odorless, just like electric trucks, driving a hydrogen truck is considered comfortable.

Disadvantages of hydrogen: Diesel is currently much cheaper, most hydrogen produced today is gray hydrogen, the infrastructure for hydrogen trucks is not yet widely established.

Switching to Sustainable Driving

Sustainable driving is becoming increasingly important in the coming months and years. The question is not whether you’ll switch to sustainable transport, but when. Thankfully, there are now multiple options for driving sustainably. Want to know how we can help you make the switch? Contact us, and our experts will be happy to assist!