Advancements in technology are paving the way for the trucking industry to achieve net-zero emissions. The transportation sector is abuzz with various experiments and concepts, from proposals for hydrogen-powered highways to improved fuel-cell technology for trucks.
As the transition to zero-emission vehicles gains momentum, many potential solutions for the trucking industry have emerged. These include electric battery swap-and-go stations along well-traveled routes and increasingly efficient electric battery charging systems.
Australia, with its vast geographical expanse and relatively small population, relies heavily on long-distance trucking. According to Tony Wood, the Director of the Grattan Institute’s energy and climate change program, as ideas increase and technology advances, winners and losers in the quest for decarbonisation in the trucking sector will become more apparent over time.
The challenge with achieving net-zero emissions in transportation lies in combining the vehicle with the correct fuel source, and this process involves complex logistics, as Wood points out.
Two prominent zero-emissions systems are under consideration: electric battery vehicles and trucks equipped with hydrogen fuel-cell systems. While smaller, short-range delivery and courier trucks can recharge overnight at depots, experts generally agree that electric batteries may only be suitable for short-haul trucks and heavy-load vehicles like garbage trucks and concrete mixers. The sheer size of the batteries needed for these vehicles and the challenge of sourcing sufficient renewable power for recharging could make electric batteries logistically impractical.
To address this, some companies are exploring innovative solutions like drive-along electric battery charging systems and extensive highway facilities with racks of fully-charged batteries that can be quickly swapped out. These approaches aim to minimise downtime for truck operators, who prefer continuous utilisation of their vehicles.
Many industry experts consider green hydrogen fuel-cell systems a more viable option for long-haul trucks. This system involves refuelling trucks at hydrogen stations along highways, utilising green hydrogen produced through water electrolysis with renewable energy. Australia’s abundant solar and wind resources are well-suited for green hydrogen production.
Deakin University’s Hycel Technology Hub, for instance, is focused on developing high-performance fuel cells for heavy vehicles, reducing the need to send them abroad for testing. The establishment of hydrogen refuelling stations is also on the horizon.
Additionally, green hydrogen can be transported and stored in tanks, offering flexible refuelling options. Back-to-base hydrogen operations, where containers of green hydrogen are swapped at facilities like bus stations, are gaining traction.
Overall, electric batteries and green hydrogen fuel cells have a role to play in decarbonising freight transport in Australia. Despite regulatory challenges related to the weight of zero-emission vehicles, the trucking industry is progressing toward a net-zero future, with plans for public and subscription-based charging and refuelling stations in development and available products from manufacturers and suppliers to support this transition.
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