Are fuel cell trucks more expensive to maintain than diesel or battery electric trucks? While fuel-cell electric trucks have not yet broken into the mainstream market, they are becoming increasingly appealing for fleet operators. What can trucking professionals expect the maintenance costs of these vehicles to be? Fuel cell trucks may be the perfect balance of clean transportation and maintenance value.
Are Fuel Cell Electric Trucks Less Expensive to Maintain?
Everyone has been watching advancements in fuel cell technology over recent years as businesses work to electrify trucking. While fuel cell trucks are getting closer to becoming readily available, many trucking companies are wondering if they are worth the investment. If these trucks are more expensive to operate, they will not have a good return on investment, even if they are better for the environment.
Research shows electric cars have significantly lower maintenance costs than gas-powered cars over the vehicle’s lifetime. Where do fuel cell vehicles fall along this scale, though? There are a few factors that are important to consider. For example, the absence of a conventional engine simplifies electric vehicles, creating fewer possible maintenance issues.
Fuel cell trucks are a bit more complex than battery electric trucks. In a fuel cell vehicle, there are still “liquid” elements, specifically the system that converts the liquid hydrogen fuel into electricity for the fuel cell. However, this added complexity does not necessarily mean battery electric trucks are more affordable to maintain, nor diesel trucks.
Batteries vs Fuel Cells
The maximum energy storage capacity of any battery diminishes over time — studies have found EVs lose roughly 3% of their battery capacity every year. A truck’s average would likely be higher due to more intensive use. As the battery capacity diminishes, the truck will need to stop to recharge increasingly often. Eventually, the entire battery will need to be replaced.
In comparison, the parts in a fuel cell truck can be replaced and refurbished for a low cost. The life span of truck parts is critical to consider with any type of truck, but fuel cell trucks are much better suited for a long life than battery electric trucks. It is not possible to replace individual units in an EV battery pack.
However, in a fuel cell, the components of the electric powertrain are fully replaceable, meaning a faulty part will not ruin the entire electric powertrain. As a result, fleet operators can get a longer lifetime out of a fuel cell truck, whereas a battery electric truck is essentially done once the battery diminishes past a certain point. Batteries and fuel cells are both essential for clean transportation, but fuel cells might be a better fit for trucking specifically.
Outlook for Fuel Cell Electric Truck Maintenance
Unfortunately, there is not much data on fuel cell trucks yet since there are few in widespread use. However, some research offers a look at the future of this technology. For instance, a 2022 research study conducted by the University of California Davis found the cost of ownership for fuel cell vehicles will decrease significantly in the long term.
Fuel cell vehicles could even be less expensive to own and maintain than diesel trucks one day. The fuel cell vehicle supply chain is a core part of the relatively higher cost of these vehicles today. The infrastructure needed to mass produce and fuel cell vehicles on a large scale simply does not exist yet. It is also worth noting that many professional truck mechanics are not yet familiar with fuel cell maintenance. However, as the industry, supply chain and fuel network slowly grow, the cost of maintaining a fuel cell truck will decrease.
Advancements in fuel cell technology could also result in lower maintenance costs compared to other trucks. In September 2022, hydrogen fuel cell developer Loop Energy reported its fuel cells surpassed diesel engines in energy efficiency tests. Higher energy efficiency will result in more miles per dollar and a longer life span per vehicle. So, even if the cost to maintain a fuel cell truck is equal to that of a diesel truck, the fuel cell truck will be a better value.
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Fuel Cell Trucks — The Maintenance Sweet Spot
There has been a lot of innovation in the fuel cell truck market over the past few years. As these trucks get closer to mainstream availability, many fleet operators and drivers wonder if they are worth all the buzz. Since fuel cell electric powertrains are mechanically simpler than a diesel engine, they will likely be lower maintenance. At the same time, the components of a fuel cell electric powertrain are replaceable, making fuel cell trucks much better value than a battery electric truck.
Jane Marsh, Contributor
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