While hydrogen power is already in use in city transport networks, regional transport is another area where hydrogen power has significant potential. Regional buses, trams and trains often cover high distances while crossing a region, and these distances can make the use of battery power very hard to sustain. Hydrogen buses, for example, are frequently capable of completing 600 kilometres between refueling.
Hydrogen fuel is well suited for providing greater range, and so can be used as a direct replacement for diesel and petrol. Use of hydrogen buses, for example, can massively reduce the levels of particulate pollution nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide that a regional transport authority or service provider’s fleet emits.
Along with the obvious pollution benefits, hydrogen buses will also be lighter (and therefore more efficient). Batteries and fuel tanks are heavy, while hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic table, so even at very high pressures the comparative weight of hydrogen to other fuels is compelling. This can have a positive impact on the infrastructure of cities, as lighter vehicles will have less impact on delicate structures like inner city bridges.
Regional train networks can also benefit from hydrogen power. By replacing heavy-polluting diesel trains with hydrogen-powered units that can travel 600-1200kms between each re-fuel. Using NPROXX’s new refueling concept and high-pressure storage tanks, regional train networks can be set up to support long-distance performance, with trains only needing to be refueled once a day.
In order for hydrogen usage in regional transport to become widespread a wide range of support infrastructure will be needed. Hydrogen storage systems and efficient refueling concepts will be vital. This is where NPROXX can provide an end-to-end solution, with our unique type IV pressure tanks and innovative storage technologies.