Fact Check: Hydrogen trucks are becoming obsolete in the electric vehicle revolution.

Fact Check: "Hydrogen trucks are becoming obsolete in the electric vehicle revolution."

What We Know

The claim that "hydrogen trucks are becoming obsolete in the electric vehicle revolution" suggests a decline in the viability or relevance of hydrogen-powered trucks due to the rise of electric vehicles (EVs).

Current Hydrogen Usage: In 2022, hydrogen accounted for less than 2% of Europe’s energy consumption, primarily for chemical production, with 96% produced from natural gas, leading to significant CO2 emissions. The EU aims to transition to renewable hydrogen, targeting 10 million tonnes of production and import by 2030 as part of its energy strategy (source).
Electric Vehicle Growth: The market for electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks has seen substantial growth, with sales exceeding 90,000 units worldwide in 2024, marking an almost 80% year-on-year increase (source). This trend indicates a strong shift towards electric vehicles in the heavy-duty segment.
Market Projections for Hydrogen Trucks: Despite the rise of electric trucks, the hydrogen truck market is projected to grow significantly, from USD 139.7 million in 2024 to USD 5.8 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.6% (source). This suggests that hydrogen trucks are not becoming obsolete but rather are expected to coexist with electric trucks in the future.
Investment and Policy Support: The EU's hydrogen policy framework and various initiatives, such as the European Hydrogen Bank, are designed to support the development of hydrogen technologies, including trucks. These initiatives aim to decarbonize sectors where reducing emissions is challenging (source, source).

Analysis

The evidence suggests a complex landscape for hydrogen trucks amid the electric vehicle revolution. While electric trucks are gaining market share rapidly, the hydrogen truck market is also expanding due to significant investments and policy support aimed at decarbonizing heavy-duty transport.

Electric Trucks' Dominance: The rapid growth in electric truck sales indicates a strong consumer and industry shift towards battery electric vehicles, driven by advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure. This trend is likely to continue as more manufacturers invest in electric truck models (source).
Hydrogen's Role: Hydrogen trucks are positioned as a viable alternative, especially for applications requiring longer ranges and quicker refueling times compared to battery electric vehicles. The projected growth of the hydrogen truck market suggests that it will not become obsolete but will instead find its niche alongside electric trucks (source, source).
Source Reliability: The sources used in this analysis come from reputable organizations such as the European Commission and the International Energy Agency (IEA), which lend credibility to the data presented. However, the potential for bias exists in industry reports that may emphasize the benefits of hydrogen to attract investment (source, source).

Conclusion

The claim that "hydrogen trucks are becoming obsolete in the electric vehicle revolution" is Partially True. While electric trucks are rapidly gaining market share and popularity, the hydrogen truck market is also projected to grow significantly, supported by investments and policy initiatives. This indicates that hydrogen trucks are not becoming obsolete but are likely to coexist with electric trucks, each serving different market needs.

Fact Check: Hydrogen trucks are becoming obsolete in the electric vehicle revolution.