The text discusses the environmental and economic implications of using fuel cell buses (FCBs) versus battery electric buses (BEBs), particularly focusing on emission reductions, external costs, and total cost of ownership. It notes that FCBs running on hydrogen derived from wind power can significantly reduce Global Warming Potential by up to 82%, but the overall reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions remains limited due to the small-scale replacement of diesel buses with FCBs. The study highlights that hydrogen production through electrolysis using wind power yields the lowest external costs, with a potential reduction of 84% when the entire fleet shifts to FCBs.
Additionally, the comparison between FCBs and BEBs underscores the importance of considering factors such as energy conversion losses and infrastructure requirements. While BEBs currently exhibit a lower total cost of ownership, FCBs offer advantages like greater operating range and flexible deployment on long routes without the need for frequent recharging. However, challenges persist regarding efficiency losses in hydrogen production and the higher initial costs associated with FCBs.
Ultimately, the decision between FCBs and BEBs depends on various factors, including route characteristics, infrastructure availability, and overall cost considerations. While BEBs may have advantages in terms of current total cost of ownership, FCBs could prove more advantageous for serving long and demanding routes due to their higher range and operational flexibility.
See more :
Deliverables_JIVE D3.22_ JIVE2 D3.6_D4.3_final.pdf (fuelcellbuses.eu)
