VDI and VDE advocate for technology openness

On the path to climate neutrality, the EU stipulates that CO₂ emissions of heavy commercial vehicles must be reduced by 30 percent by 2030. To achieve this goal, around 200,000 emission-free trucks need to be in operation in Europe by 2030. This is the conclusion of the new VDI/VDE study "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles: Comparing Different Technological Pathways for CO₂-Neutral and -Free Drives". 

To meet the EU requirements, VDI and VDE are focusing on fuel cell drives for long-haul heavy commercial vehicles and on battery electric drives for small commercial vehicles in urban areas. Although battery vehicles are generally more efficient, fuel cell vehicles have advantages in terms of range and refueling time. The range, in particular, poses a challenge for battery-powered commercial vehicles. They struggle with the weight of the batteries on board and long charging times. Hydrogen can solve this problem due to its higher energy density. 

Charging and fueling infrastructure insufficient

However, the charging and fueling infrastructure for commercial vehicles does not meet operational requirements. 

The recent political plan to no longer fund the construction and operation of hydrogen fueling stations would have disastrous consequences. This policy hinders the EU's goals for CO₂ reduction in heavy-duty vehicles. Now is the right time to further expand existing hydrogen fueling stations and add new ones. (Martin Pokojski, Chairman of the VDI/VDE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles Committee)

Thus, the current charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations do not meet the requirements of heavy commercial vehicles. The current 90 700-bar fueling stations are only partially suitable for trucks in terms of the required amounts and quick refueling. By 2030, 70 truck-suitable H₂ fueling stations need to be evenly distributed across the motorway network in Germany. Of the 16,100 charging points currently available, only 25 are suitable for trucks with batteries. To cover just 5 percent of the vehicle fleet, 1,200 charging points with a charging capacity of at least 720 kW would be required. 

High costs for climate-friendly commercial vehicles

Another problem, according to VDI and VDE, is the still too high cost of climate-friendly commercial vehicles. Only if the operating costs for forwarders, consumers, and industry are within a manageable range, will they switch to climate-friendly commercial vehicles. The associations do assume that manufacturing costs will decrease as a result of mass production and that the competitiveness of diesel vehicles will decrease due to CO₂ taxes and access restrictions. 

But a significant cost reduction will only occur if the costs of green electricity and green hydrogen decrease. An important prerequisite, besides the accelerated expansion of wind energy and photovoltaics envisaged by the federal government, is the creation of political framework conditions for the development of a hydrogen economy. (Dr. Remzi Can Samsun from the Institute for Energy and Climate Research at the Forschungszentrum Jülich and member of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Committee at VDI/VDE)

Fiscal incentives necessary

The authors of the study agree: In the medium to long term, climate-friendly commercial vehicles could help reduce the economic costs in the mobility sector compared to the current status. For this, in particular, research and development need to be encouraged to develop innovative technologies in commercial vehicle manufacturing. This would also accelerate competitiveness. In addition, fiscal incentives are needed so that fleet operators, for example, increasingly switch to electrified commercial vehicles in urban areas. 

About VDI 

Founded 165 years ago, the VDI Association of German Engineers, with 135,000 members, is the largest technical-scientific association in Germany. Over 12,000 volunteer experts process the latest findings each year to promote Germany as a technology location. 

About VDE

The VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies), one of the largest technical-scientific organizations in Europe, unites science, standardization, and product testing under one roof. Over 100,000 experts work within the VDE on future technologies ranging from the energy transition, Industry 4.0, smart mobility, smart living to IT security. In addition, the VDE is committed to research and young talent promotion as well as consumer protection. The VDE Group, with 2,000 employees worldwide, is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.