Comparison of battery and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for freight transportation through WTW driving cycle simulations

Reduction of CO2 emissions is considered a priority in most international energy plans, with an important role given to the transportation sector. The search for new technology for clean transport has concentrated much of its efforts on the development of vehicles with electrical drivetrains. This study focuses on the perspectives of battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) for road freight transportation. An assessment based on a WTW approach is carried out with simulated driving cycles for heavy vehicles. The assessment compares the energy and environmental performances of BEV and FCEV with those of conventional internal combustion engines. Calculations investigate different combinations of primary energy sources and energy pathways, evidencing the most competitive solutions in terms of payload, energy consumption and CO2 emissions