Hydrogen Fuel Cells and E-Fuels for Heavy-Duty Transport: Australian/Indian context

The transition towards low-emission transport technologies is a pressing global challenge, particularly in the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sector, which is responsible for a significant share of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In both Australia and India, long-haul road freight transport is critical to economic activity, yet it remains largely dependent on diesel-powered engines. Hydrogen fuel cells and e-fuels have emerged as promising clean alternatives, offering the potential to decarbonise this hard-to-abate sector without compromising performance or range.

This project aims to investigate the feasibility and performance of hydrogen fuel cell and e-fuel technologies in HDVs under real-world operating conditions in Australia and India. These two countries present highly contrasting climates, topographies, and transport infrastructures, making them ideal case studies for evaluating the robustness and applicability of emerging clean transport technologies.

The first objective is to benchmark the performance of hydrogen fuel cell and e-fuel-powered heavy-duty vehicles compared to conventional diesel trucks, focusing on key metrics such as power output, energy efficiency, range, and operational reliability. Next, the project will assess how regional weather conditions—particularly temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure—affect the performance of these technologies. This includes extreme heat, monsoon humidity, and dust exposure in India, as well as long-distance hauls across Australia’s vast, often remote and environmentally diverse road networks.

Finally, insights from performance benchmarking and environmental impact assessment will be synthesised to evaluate the feasibility, operational challenges, and economic implications of adopting hydrogen and e-fuels for HDV transport in both countries. This includes an exploration of refuelling infrastructure readiness, maintenance requirements, fuel availability, and regional emission reduction potential.

The outcomes of this research will provide policymakers, industry, and infrastructure planners with critical, context-specific insights into the viability of clean fuel technologies in freight transport. By identifying the region-specific barriers and opportunities, this project supports the strategic deployment of sustainable heavy transport solutions that align with the decarbonisation goals of both Australia and India.