Asia’s path to a greener future
HYDROGEN VEHICLES ---------------
OVERALL
Hydrogen is a highly efficient fuel source, offering a greater energy density per unit mass than any other fuel. 56 When used to power vehicles, it emits only water vapour, providing a much-needed solution to the emissions caused by the transport industry. Hydrogen can be produced using wind, hydro and solar power, which produces green hydrogen; gas, resulting in blue and grey hydrogen; and coal, which is known as black and brown hydrogen. The various forms of hydrogen make it a fuel that can be produced anywhere in the world. Currently, the majority of global hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels. 57 Mr Jain says it is too expensive to produce green hydrogen, while “dirty” hydrogen is not viable as it introduces fossil fuels into the energy chain. Grey hydrogen costs US$1.5/ kg while green hydrogen costs US$5/kg. 58,59
IMPACT
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FUNDING
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China, Japan and South Korea are betting on hydrogen vehicles for greater energy security, others like Singapore prefer to monitor developments for now due to the technology’s lack of maturity in terms of cost, infrastructure availability and vehicle model options. 60,61 Mr Jain suggests that the former countries’ bullish nature stems from their desire to reconfigure their value chains to become less dependent on imported fossil fuels and more focused on hydrogen, a resource that they have in abundance as an industrial by-product. But these plans are slow to be realised due to safety-related criticisms and expensive infrastructural requirements. 62 Japanese and South Korean citizens have expressed concerns about the refuelling stations following a fatal explosion of a hydrogen storage tank and a gas leak in 2019. 63 Due to its chemical properties, storing hydrogen poses challenges that necessitate the use of low-temperature, high-pressure tanks. 64 While these incidents warrant an investigation, it is generally acknowledged that hydrogen and hydrogen-powered vehicles are safe. Mr Jain says that “poor safety perceptions are something that we are also trying to address. People often bring up the Hindenburg aircraft explosion and hydrogen bombs, but nothing of this sort occurs in a fuel cell vehicle. These analogies are generally misplaced.” Hydrogen vehicles have enormous potential for decarbonising transport, although high production costs, energy loss during production and supply, difficulties in storage and lack of complementary infrastructure are hindering their widespread usage. 65 Mr Jain says “hydrogen holds a lot of promise and if we are able to solve the energy cycle equation [to prevent energy loss], that would be wonderful because it packs a punch and solves the biggest problems of currently prevalent batteries.” Companies in Asia are now racing towards green hydrogen projects as an increasing number of people recognise it as the fuel of the future. For example, India has approved a green hydrogen mission and Vietnam is set to construct its first green hydrogen plant. 66,67 Investments in hydrogen vehicles in the region have surpassed US$1bn 68 and are likely to continue growing as hydrogen production increases. Further advancements in storage and transport technologies will be instrumental in addressing safety concerns and fuelling the transition.
Governments in the region have a mixed outlook on the current potential of hydrogen vehicles. While some countries such as
“Hydrogen holds a lot of promise and if we are able to solve the energy cycle equation [to prevent energy loss], that would be wonderful because it packs a punch and solves the biggest problems of currently prevalent batteries.” Alok Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Trans Consult; Expert Member, Council for Decarbonizing Transport in Asia
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