Neutral Techno-Economics Beats Hydrogen Narratives - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the practical challenges and economic realities that undermine the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology in public transportation, using the example of Bayreuth, a Bavarian city. Initially, Bayreuth planned to decarbonize its bus fleet with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles supported by renewable energy and significant government funding. However, after conducting a neutral techno-economic assessment, the city reversed its decision and opted for battery-electric buses instead. This shift highlights a broader trend: when full system costs—including electricity inputs, conversion losses, infrastructure, maintenance, and operation—are objectively analyzed, hydrogen consistently proves less cost-effective than direct electrification. The article further explains the inherent inefficiencies of hydrogen production and use, noting that it takes roughly three units of renewable electricity to generate one unit of motion at the wheels due to energy losses in electrolysis, compression, storage, and reconversion. Additionally, hydrogen systems are expensive to maintain and have higher fuel costs compared to diesel when all factors are considered. Beyond economics