Hydrogen as an energy source can benefit a variety of functions of the global economy, including fleet operations, according to a new study from the Hydrogen Council.

Fleets could benefit from the flexibility, fast refueling and other economic benefits of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, because the cost of purchasing the vehicle is only part of the total calculation, according to a release.

Deployment of hydrogen is likely to be led by fleet applications such as taxis and other commercial fleets, according to the study.

“Small vans and light commercial FCEVs are on the road today. Adoption could increase to almost 6% of sales by 2030 and almost 50% by 2050, as cities put more stringent regulations in place to reduce local emissions from delivery vehicles and other commercial fleets,” the study noted.

The study also noted that by 2050 hydrogen could power a global fleet of more than 400 million cars and approximately 20 million trucks.

“In automotive segments, the adoption of hydrogen vehicles will range from roughly 10% for small cars and 20 to 25% for large cars and trucks to roughly 35% for vans,” according to the study.

However, large-scale deployment of hydrogen transport solutions will require major investments.

“Serving a fleet of 10 to 15 million fuel cell electric vehicles, for example, would require the equivalent of roughly 15,000 large filling stations by 2030. Developing and building this refueling infrastructure would cost roughly $20 billion – about $1.25 million to $1.5 million per large station,” according to the study.

The study seeks to place hydrogen as a central pillar in the energy transition and encourages support of large-scale deployment.

"Hydrogen will be an unavoidable enabler for the energy transition in certain sectors and geographies. The sooner we make this happen the sooner we will be able to enjoy the needed benefits of Hydrogen at the service of our economies and our societies," said Benoît Potier, chairman and CEO of Air Liquide and co-chair of the Hydrogen Council.

The study was created by global leaders of the Hydrogen Council coalition, which released it at COP23 in Bonn, Germany, to boost the role of hydrogen around the globe. COP23 is an annual United Nations climate change conference.

Click here to read the study.