Electric buses vs Hydrogen buses: Which is more viable in 2024?

Who will win between electric buses and hydrogen buses? Let’s start by stating that the factors are extensive and cover a variety of multidisciplinary themes that require more in-depth examination, but the major points below, which have been gathered in the area recently, may help give some direction.

Electric Buses vs Hydrogen Buses

A good economy

Fuel cell buses are often twice as expensive as battery-electric ones, according to the Total Cost of Ownership assessment, which takes into account both the investment and running costs for cars and infrastructure. However, a scale-up in the production of FCEB components and, particularly, the hydrogen value chain is projected to result in cost parity being reached between 2025 and 2030.

The overall efficiency of the process

Compared to battery-electric buses, which have an overall efficiency that is approximately three times higher than 70–75%, the efficiency of green hydrogen is significantly lower at 25–30%. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using power generated from renewable sources.

Fuel-up time and Range

Buses powered by hydrogen have several advantages over battery-powered vehicles, including faster refuelling (7 minutes vs. 4 hours) and a longer range that makes them better suited for long-distance urban transit (> 450 km daily). Thus, FCEB can be deployed by public transportation operators on a one-to-one basis and are more operationally comparable to ICE[3] buses.

Production capacity

With what the FCEB market has to offer, there are still some reservations about how well-equipped manufacturers will be to handle abrupt spikes in demand for vehicles that could materialize shortly. The implementation of FCEBs by public transportation providers may be significantly delayed as a result, which would halt the move towards a world with no emissions. Also, as public money seems to be focused right now on relatively short timelines, this could jeopardize its security.

The increase in costs

The major obstacle to the widespread adoption of FCEBs is the drop in the price of green hydrogen. To achieve economies of scale, lower fuel costs, and improved bankability of investments, local governments should start focusing on projects that aim to centralize hydrogen production and distribution in a coordinated manner across a few large plants for a variety of users rather than just providing public funding to the operators.

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