Hydrogen Powered Truckers

An interesting piece from Wired describes the growing trend of hydrogen power among the nation’s semitrailer trucks. The incentive is largely economic, with up to 10% fuel savings making a significant difference to truckers and their employers. The drivers also enjoy increased power and a reduction in smog.

A major deterrent to hydrogen fuel has always been its unavailability, however the truckers have solved this problem through products like Hydrogen Energy’s Hydrogen Fuel Injection (HFI). The HFI system uses an engine’s electricity to power the electrolysis of small amounts of distilled water and produce hydrogen, which is then injected into the engine air intake, increasing fuel combustion efficiency and horsepower because hydrogen burns hotter and faster than diesel.

The HFI system is an example of the type of innovation we should expect with energy prices so high. Record prices this year may have made alternative energy viable, and clean and efficient developments like the HFI system should remain popular even if prices stabilize further.