# Vehicle-oriented and Sweden-framed life cycle assessment: Hydrogen for long-haul trucks

## TL;DR

The study evaluates hydrogen trucks' environmental impact in Sweden, finding that their benefits depend heavily on hydrogen production and leakage rates.

## Contribution

A vehicle-oriented and Sweden-framed life cycle assessment comparing hydrogen production methods and truck technologies.

## Key findings

- Global warming potential of hydrogen trucks varies up to 50tCO2eq per vehicle depending on production and use.
- Electrolysis powered by the Swedish grid is more competitive than blue hydrogen in most cases.
- Hydrogen leaks can double the global warming potential of green hydrogen per ton-km.

## Abstract

Hydrogen trucks are an alternative for decarbonizing the long-haul segment. However, the environmental footprint benefits depend on how hydrogen is produced, transported, and used but also in truck characteristics. We conduct life cycle assessment to quantify the impacts per ton-km. For centralized production, we included electrolysis and steam reforming cases, with dedicated transportation pathways but also included production onsite. We evaluated fuel cells and combustion engines and included supply chain hydrogen leakages. We found that global warming potential (GWP) of different truck versions varies up to 50tCO2eq per vehicle. Additionally, electrolysis powered by the Swedish grid appears more competitive than blue hydrogen, for most cases evaluated. For high hydrogen leakage scenarios (∼30%), GWP of green hydrogen, per ton-km, increases 2-fold. The low payload of tanker ships transporting hydrogen nullifies the benefits of importing green hydrogen. Truck manufacturing industries and low-carbon electricity enhance the potential for hydrogen to decarbonize the segment in Sweden.

•Life cycle assessment with a robust technical approach in Swedish conditions•Hydrogen trucks offer decarbonization when compared to fossil counterparts•Biofuels and electric trucks potentially offer more decarbonization than hydrogen•Hydrogen leaks jeopardize the carbon mitigation obtained by renewable hydrogen

Life cycle assessment with a robust technical approach in Swedish conditions

Hydrogen trucks offer decarbonization when compared to fossil counterparts

Biofuels and electric trucks potentially offer more decarbonization than hydrogen

Hydrogen leaks jeopardize the carbon mitigation obtained by renewable hydrogen

Environmental science; Energy resources; Applied sciences