The days of the internal combustion engine will soon be over. Between 2030–2040, many countries have pledged to ban the ICE. The heavy-duty truck—responsible for 23 percent of transportation greenhouse gas emissions—plans to have zero emissions, electrified semis on the highways as early as 2020–2021. The question is whether to buy a big truck fueled by a lithium ion battery or hydrogen fuel cell.

Hydrogen vs Lithium Ion Batteries

The largest truck maker Daimler has been powering its Class 8 etrucks with lithium ion batteries. Daimler currently makes the most fuel efficient heavy-duty truck, the Cascadia Evolution. Fuel efficiency of 9.3 MPG is below EPA compliance standards. Its zero emissions electric version is the eCascadia.

Daimler's fueling strategy recently changed, however, with a recent joint venture with Volvo to make fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Nikola Motor, Hyundai, Toyota, and several Chinese companies also are making hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks. Tesla, the first company to have a semi e-truck prototype in the market, is sticking with lithium ion batteries.

When it comes to big trucks, fuel cell electric vehicles have several advantages over lithium ion batteries. They include:

• heavier loads 
• longer distances (about 370 miles per tank for Toyota)
• fast refueling 
• use of existing gas station infrastructure 

The Electrified Truck Race is On 

Tesla plans to be the first to start delivering its battery-powered semi-trucks in 2020.  But some contend that the leader in electric cars is only tinkering with big trucks. Current lithium ion battery technology has limitations in big truck applications due to low energy densities. 

Meanwhile, Hyundai-H2 Energy, Nikola Motor and Toyota plan to introduce hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in 2023. Nikola is backed by Bosch and Fiat's CNH Industrial. JMC—a joint venture of Ford and China's Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies—introduced its Class 8 fuel cell truck in 2019, with plans to deliver 2,000 over the next few years.

Daimler has an enviable advantage. The Cascadia Evolution is the most fuel efficient heavy-duty truck on the road. Those who value fuel efficiency foremost may choose to switch out with the zero emissions eCascadia.

In the hydrogen fuel cell versus lithium battery debate, Tesla is a growing minority. Hydrogen also has a cost advantage. In 10 years, hydrogen fuel cells will be the lowest cost fuel source in medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 

etruck hybrids (electric and hydrogen) could be the medium-term solution to zero emissions trucking. Ballard and Toyota fuel cells have been bundled as part of a hybrid battery-fuel cell truck developed by Kenworth. These fuel cell electric trucks are now being driven by UPS, Toyota and other companies. Daimler is developing a hybrid-electric Freightliner Cascadia with Walmart.