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An innovative truck has travelled an impressive 2.906 kilometres on a single fill-up, pushing the limits of current technology.
In a scenario where batteries dominate sustainable alternatives, an incredible feat has given more prominence to the discussions about hydrogen as a fuel. An experimental truck, named H2Rescue, managed to travel 1.806 miles (2.906 km), , the equivalent of the distance between Rio Grande do Sul and Pará, with a single hydrogen refueling.
The announcement came from the US Department of Energy (DOE) in December, marking a major milestone in technology automotive.
A project that joins forces
O H2Rescue This is no ordinary truck. It is a prototype developed in partnership between the DOE, the US Army, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the Department of Homeland Security and Accelera by Cummins.
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Designed to operate in emergency situations, military operations and public services, the truck uses a fuel cell from Cummins Accelera coupled to a 250 kilowatt traction motor.
The proposal is clear: replace fossil fuels with hydrogen in critical scenarios, where efficiency and sustainability are essential.
Challenges of traveling with a truck
In November, the prototype underwent rigorous testing on California roads. With the tanks filled with 386 lbs (175 kg) of hydrogen, the truck faced real conditions: heavy traffic at peak times, average speeds between 80 and 86 km/h and temperatures ranging from 16 °C to 27 °C.
The distance covered was not just a technical achievement. Representatives from Guinness World Records followed the entire route to certify the feat.
At the end of the nearly 2.000 miles, surprisingly, there were still 15 lbs (7 kg) of hydrogen in the tanks.
Zero emissions, maximum impact
One of H2Rescue’s greatest strengths was that it covered the entire distance without emitting any carbon dioxide (CO2). In comparison, a conventional fossil fuel-powered truck would have emitted 301 kg of CO2 to cover the same distance.
The data presented by the DOE goes further: if this technology were applied to government fleets, the annual savings would be 6.908 liters of fuel, reducing emissions by 2,5 metric tons of CO2. These numbers reinforce the potential of hydrogen to transform sustainable mobility.
Hydrogen versus batteries
Despite its success, hydrogen still faces challenges in competing with batteries in the automotive market.
The industry has prioritized electric vehicles, leaving hydrogen restricted to specific niches. However, for applications such as H2Rescue, it proves to be superior, especially in terms of autonomy and environmental impact.
For example, battery-powered trucks face limitations regarding battery weight and recharging time. Hydrogen, on the other hand, offers greater range and significantly shorter refueling times, which are critical in emergencies or long-haul operations.
What comes next?
While H2Rescue’s track record is impressive, there is no guarantee that the research will result in commercial solutions any time soon. However, DOE expects the military and government agencies to lead the way in adopting the technology, especially in fleets that require high performance and sustainability.
This milestone reinforces that hydrogen should not be ruled out as an option for sustainable mobility. Its efficiency, combined with environmental benefits, positions it as a promising alternative, especially for specific segments.
H2Rescue not only set a world record, but also showed that hydrogen can be a viable tool in the fight against climate change.
With every mile he travels, he leaves a clear message: the transition to a greener future can and must include hydrogen as a protagonist.
With 1.806 miles covered and a near-zero environmental impact, H2Rescue is not only a technological feat, but a reminder that sustainable alternatives already exist and can be implemented on a large scale. The question now is: who will be brave enough to take this route?
One question, was there a hydrogen station at the end of the trip for the truck to return to or did it return towed?
They just forgot to mention one small detail: how much energy was used to produce the hydrogen used by the truck?
Right, 1kg of hydrogen takes 55kWh to be produced and according to their calculations 1kg of hydrogen goes 16,5km, while diesel takes 10kWh... However, it is not possible to know the average that diesel would do on this trip...
Even if you have to spend electrical energy to produce hydrogen, the environment still comes out on top, as diesel uses electrical energy to be produced and also releases CO2 and other substances into the atmosphere. Now, if you use photovoltaic or wind energy to produce hydrogen, then it would be a 100% clean fuel.