Hydrogen

Hydrogen is technically not a fuel but an energy carrier. A hydrogen-powered vehicle is almost identical to an electric vehicle, except that the energy is stored in hydrogen instead of a battery.

Hydrogen is produced through electrolysis of water. In this process, water (H₂O) is split into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O). When these two elements are recombined in a fuel cell inside the vehicle, electricity is generated. The electricity produced by the fuel cell powers an electric motor, just like in a battery-electric vehicle. The only ‘waste product’ is water.

In theory, anyone can drive on hydrogen. In practice, transport companies will be the first to make the switch, as the current costs are still too high for most private users. The more kilometers you drive, the more cost-effective hydrogen becomes as an investment.

The average driving range currently is around 500 kilometers, but OEMs like Mercedes already offer hydrogen trucks with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. With ongoing advancements in hydrogen technology, it’s likely that this range will increase even further in the future.

Absolutely. Hydrogen tanks are wrapped in multiple layers of Kevlar and carbon fiber, which ensure they remain intact even in the event of an accident. Additionally, during refueling, a secure connection is established between the vehicle and the fueling station, and refueling can only begin once all parameters—such as temperature and pressure—are within safe limits. Safety is the top priority.

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water using renewable electricity from sources like solar or wind power, resulting in zero CO₂ emissions. This is the cleanest form of hydrogen and is increasingly being used for zero-emission transport, such as hydrogen trucks.

Blue hydrogen is made from natural gas, but during the process, the CO₂ emissions are captured and stored. This reduces emissions by about 90% compared to grey hydrogen. It serves as a transitional solution for sectors that are not yet ready to fully switch to green hydrogen.

Grey hydrogen is also produced from natural gas, but without any CO₂ capture. It is the most polluting form of hydrogen, with high CO₂ emissions. Although grey hydrogen is currently the most widely used, especially in industry, there is a growing shift toward cleaner alternatives due to climate goals.