Hydrogen-powered vehicles for autonomous ride-hailing fleets

Abstract

Autonomous ride-hailing fleets are approaching commercialization as an on-demand, low-cost transportation solution. Although battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are well-studied for this application, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) may provide additional advantages that have not been sufficiently investigated. Here, we developed a stochastic ride-hailing autonomous vehicle (RHAV) model to compare these technologies and applied this model to seven BEVs and two FCEVs. FCEV fleets are 3–10% smaller than BEV fleets due to shorter refueling times and greater driving ranges, which enable greater fleet efficiency. The Hyundai Kona (BEV) provides the greatest fleet profitability; however, the Toyota Mirai (FCEV) is only 3% less profitable despite having a 25% higher purchase price. We demonstrate that FCEVs are economically competitive as RHAVs, and that expected price reductions can make them the most profitable technology. Furthermore, FCEV fleets provide qualitative benefits, including a substantial increase in local hydrogen demand to catalyze hydrogen infrastructure development. • FCEVs and BEVs are compared for ride-hailing autonomous vehicle (RHAV) fleets. • FCEVs have smaller fleet sizes due to lower refuel times and longer ranges. • Despite higher prices, FCEV fleets can be economically competitive with BEVs. • FCEV fleets increase local hydrogen demand, supporting infrastructure growth. • FCEVs can become the most economical RHAV option as costs continue to decrease.