Hydrogen Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicles: A Comparative Review of Sustainable Freight Transport

The freight transport sector, which primarily relies on heavy-duty diesel vehicles, accounts for approximately 25–30% of worldwide transport-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, underscoring the critical need for decarbonisation. Hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles (HFCVs), otherwise, are emerging as a viable alternative for long-haul freight, strengthened by advancements in fuel cell technology and supportive national energy policies. Meanwhile, the battery electric vehicles (BEVs) excel in short- to medium-duty applications due to their high efficiency, but encounter challenges related to charging delays, infrastructure requirements, and reliance on the electrical grid. However, the HFCVs provide rapid refuelling and extensive ranges; yet they face obstacles due to elevated hydrogen prices, insufficient refuelling infrastructure, and fragmented policies. This review offers a comparative evaluation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and diesel vehicles in terms of technical, environmental, and economic factors, encompassing range, efficiency, lifecycle emissions, and infrastructure expenses. Moreover, this review outcome has indicated that China surpasses others in adoption due to robust national strategies at the same time, Europe gains from the Green Deal and Fit-for-55, and North America progresses through industry-led initiatives but faces challenges from fragmented regulations, with readiness indices of 3.8, 3.7, and 3.3, respectively. Realising scale necessitates synchronised policy, infrastructural investment, and intersectoral collaboration. This review study also provides empirical insights to inform sustainable freight transition strategies and emphasises HFCVs as a feasible alternative for decarbonising long-haul transportation.