Fuel-cycle based environmental and economic assessment of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in China

Abstract

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) is regarded as one of the most promising technical paths towards transportation sector's carbon neutrality in China, to assess the environmental and economic performances of HFCV is of great significance for emission reduction policies construction. This study carries out a fuel-cycle analysis of HFCV in 2020 and 2030 using the GREET model. 19 fuel paths are generated by combining mainstream patterns of HFCV's hydrogen production, storage and transportation, and filling processes. The results show a contradiction at present that, hydrogen production from electrolytic water with renewable energy has the lowest air pollutants and carbon emissions, while the traditional hydrogen production from natural gas, coke oven gas and coal, etc., have better economic performances. However, the decreasing trends of both pollution emissions and costs of HFCVs are expected towards 2030. Specifically, the CO2, VOC, NOx, PM2.5 and SO2 emissions would decrease by 21.58%, 16.55%, 22.35%, 22.49%, and 18.76%, respectively. The total cost of fuel path with the participation of renewable energy decreases rapidly, which is mainly benefit from its lower environmental externality costs. This study puts forward policy suggestion of improving the hydrogenation infrastructure construction, accelerating the large-scale and low-cost renewable energy hydrogen production.