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Sustainability Assessment of Fuel Cell Buses in Public Transport

Author

Listed:
  • Aleksandar Lozanovski

    (Department of Life Cycle Engineering (GaBi), Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), University of Stuttgart, 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Nicole Whitehouse

    (Thinkstep AG, 70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany)

  • Nathanael Ko

    (Department of Life Cycle Engineering (GaBi), Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), University of Stuttgart, 70563 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Simon Whitehouse

    (Thinkstep AG, 70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany)

Abstract

Hydrogen fuel cell (H 2 FC) buses operating in every day public transport services around Europe are assessed for their sustainability against environmental, economic and social criteria. As part of this assessment the buses are evaluated against diesel buses both in terms of sustainability and in terms of meeting real world requirements with respect to operational performance. The study concludes that H 2 FC buses meet operability and performance criteria and are sustainable environmentally when ‘green’ hydrogen is used. The economic sustainability of the buses, in terms of affordability, achieves parity with their fossil fuel equivalent by 2030 when the indirect costs to human health and climate change are included. Societal acceptance by those who worked with and used the buses supports the positive findings of earlier studies, although satisfactory operability and performance are shown to be essential to positive attitudes. Influential policy makers expressed positive sentiments only if ‘green’ hydrogen is used and the affordability issues can be addressed. No “show-stopper” is identified that would prevent future generations from using H 2 FC buses in public transport on a broad scale due to damage to the environment or to other factors that impinge on quality of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandar Lozanovski & Nicole Whitehouse & Nathanael Ko & Simon Whitehouse, 2018. "Sustainability Assessment of Fuel Cell Buses in Public Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1480-:d:145229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Jasmina Pašagić Škrinjar & Borna Abramović & Lucija Bukvić & Željko Marušić, 2020. "Managing Fuel Consumption and Emissions in the Renewed Fleet of a Transport Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Ajanovic, A. & Glatt, A. & Haas, R., 2021. "Prospects and impediments for hydrogen fuel cell buses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    6. Xiangyu Wei & Shixiang Tian & Zhangyin Dai & Peng Li, 2022. "Statistical Analysis of Major and Extra Serious Traffic Accidents on Chinese Expressways from 2011 to 2021," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Saumya Bansal & Yi Zong & Shi You & Lucian Mihet-Popa & Jinsheng Xiao, 2020. "Technical and Economic Analysis of One-Stop Charging Stations for Battery and Fuel Cell EV with Renewable Energy Sources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, June.
    8. Manzolli, Jônatas Augusto & Trovão, João Pedro & Antunes, Carlos Henggeler, 2022. "A review of electric bus vehicles research topics – Methods and trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    9. Higinio Sánchez-Sáinz & Carlos-Andrés García-Vázquez & Francisco Llorens Iborra & Luis M. Fernández-Ramírez, 2019. "Methodology for the Optimal Design of a Hybrid Charging Station of Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles Supplied by Renewable Energies and an Energy Storage System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-20, October.
    10. Hanhee Kim & Niklas Hartmann & Maxime Zeller & Renato Luise & Tamer Soylu, 2021. "Comparative TCO Analysis of Battery Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses for Public Transport System in Small to Midsize Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-31, July.
    11. Michel Noussan & Pier Paolo Raimondi & Rossana Scita & Manfred Hafner, 2020. "The Role of Green and Blue Hydrogen in the Energy Transition—A Technological and Geopolitical Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-26, December.

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