Environmental Assessment of Centralized and Decentralized Scenarios of Green Hydrogen Implementation in the Transportation Sector

Abstract As the transportation sector progresses towards achieving net-zero emissions, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have taken the lead in the decarbonization process. Nonetheless, these vehicles face challenges to fully replacing conventional transport modes, such as limited range and extended charging times. Moreover, there are Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions linked to electricity used to charge them, due to the non-renewable sources present in the local grid of every country. Green Hydrogen, recognized as a clean energy carrier, emerges as a pivotal solution to decrease these emissions, facilitating electricity or heat generation while producing zero GHG emissions. In this study, the viability of using green Hydrogen, particularly in conjunction with Fuel Cell Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FC-PHEVs) offering enhanced range and faster refueling compared to conventional BEVs, is evaluated to achieve net-zero emissions. Cradle-to-grave life cycle models for Hydrogen implementation in Centralized and Decentralized scenarios are developed to assess its environmental impacts for further comparison with a BEV scenario. The results indicate that the Decentralized scenario is less polluting due to a notable portion of GHG emissions associated with Hydrogen transportation. However Centralized scenario requires less electrical consumption. Finally, BEVs produce higher emissions because of their low range and the electricity origin.