Hydrogen fuel is widely viewed as one of multiple pathways for transitioning away from fossil fuels in transportation. Car manufacturers have been experimenting with so-called hydrogen fuel cells for the last 20 years or so. At one point, it was even being touted by some vehicle manufacturers as the preferred route to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). However, vast leaps in electric battery technology have somewhat sidelined development of hydrogen fuel cells for passenger cars.
Where hydrogen fuel is seen as having greater potential is in trains and heavy trucks. This article by the BBC on a hydrogen train project in Bo’Ness by Arcola Energy, funded by the Scottish government, provides a useful insight into some of the upside and downsides of hydrogen fuel.
Photo credit: Elaine Catton
Scotland in Motion 