The role of green hydrogen in the mobility sector
As the urgency to reduce emissions intensifies, green hydrogen is emerging as a strategic lever in the decarbonization of the transport sector.
Produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, it offers a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
With the transportation sector responsible for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, green hydrogen provides a tangible solution to reduce the carbon footprint across multiple mobility segments.
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water (H₂O) into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower.
Unlike blue hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas and involves carbon storage or capture, green hydrogen is emission-free at the point of production. This makes it an attractive fuel for sectors that are hard to electrify, including parts of the transportation industry.
Its potential spans a wide range of applications, from road and rail to maritime and aviation transport.
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have gained significant ground in light-duty applications such as passenger cars.
However, for heavy-duty transport (trucks, buses, and long-haul freight), hydrogen fuel cells offer a better energy-to-weight ratio and faster refueling times. Fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) powered by green hydrogen can travel longer distances and are better suited for intensive operations where downtime is costly.
In regions where electrifying train tracks is not economically viable, hydrogen-powered trains offer a clean alternative to diesel locomotives.
Several European countries, including Germany and the UK, have begun trialing or deploying hydrogen trains, which produce only water vapor as exhaust.
This development could be transformative for rural and regional rail lines.
Shipping is one of the most carbon-intensive industries, with limited viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Green hydrogen can be used directly or converted into derivatives, such as methanol, to power ships.
These fuels can significantly cut emissions while enabling longer voyages without the need for frequent refueling stops.
While aviation is perhaps the most challenging sector to decarbonize, green hydrogen is being explored both as a direct fuel and as a base for synthetic aviation fuels. Hydrogen-powered aircraft are still in early development stages, but several prototypes have demonstrated the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells for short-haul flights.
Despite its promise, large-scale adoption of green hydrogen in mobility faces several key challenges:
- High production costs: in some regions, green hydrogen is more expensive than fossil-based hydrogen due to the costs of renewable electricity and electrolyzers.
- Infrastructure gaps: the distribution and refueling infrastructure for hydrogen is underdeveloped, particularly compared to electric charging networks.
- Energy efficiency: the process of producing, transporting, and converting hydrogen can be less efficient than direct electrification.
However, the opportunities are significant. As renewable energy costs continue to fall and electrolysis technology improves, the price of green hydrogen is expected to decrease.
Moreover, governments worldwide are investing in hydrogen strategies, offering subsidies, building infrastructure, and setting targets to stimulate the market.
Green hydrogen is a crucial pillar of the energy transition, especially for mobility applications where batteries are less suitable. With the ability to store renewable energy, provide extended driving range, and emit only water vapor, it stands out as a core enabler of low-carbon transport systems.
As technology matures and political support strengthens, green hydrogen is set to play a central role in building a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient mobility ecosystem in the decades ahead.