Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport

This article summarizes current research on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in road transport. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are pushing the transport sector to intensify efforts toward decarbonization. One promising solution is the ado...

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Main Authors: Dorota Burchart, Iga Przytuła
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1229
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author Dorota Burchart
Iga Przytuła
author_facet Dorota Burchart
Iga Przytuła
author_sort Dorota Burchart
collection DOAJ
description This article summarizes current research on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in road transport. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are pushing the transport sector to intensify efforts toward decarbonization. One promising solution is the adoption of hydrogen technologies, whose development is supported by European Union regulations, such as the “Fit for 55” package. FCEVs are characterized by zero emissions during operation, but their environmental impact largely depends on the methods of hydrogen production. The use of renewable energy sources in hydrogen production can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while hydrogen produced from fossil fuels can even result in higher emissions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. This article also discusses the importance of hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the efficiency of fuel storage and transportation systems. In conclusion, LCA shows that FCEVs can support the achievement of climate goals, provided that the development of hydrogen production technologies based on renewable sources and the corresponding infrastructure is ensured. The authors also highlight the potential of hybrid technologies as a transitional solution in the process of transforming the transport sector.
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spelling doaj-art-ea83c0acb3894fa9a4bcd5f581e4676c2025-08-20T02:59:14ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01185122910.3390/en18051229Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road TransportDorota Burchart0Iga Przytuła1Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, PolandFaculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, PolandThis article summarizes current research on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in road transport. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are pushing the transport sector to intensify efforts toward decarbonization. One promising solution is the adoption of hydrogen technologies, whose development is supported by European Union regulations, such as the “Fit for 55” package. FCEVs are characterized by zero emissions during operation, but their environmental impact largely depends on the methods of hydrogen production. The use of renewable energy sources in hydrogen production can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while hydrogen produced from fossil fuels can even result in higher emissions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. This article also discusses the importance of hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the efficiency of fuel storage and transportation systems. In conclusion, LCA shows that FCEVs can support the achievement of climate goals, provided that the development of hydrogen production technologies based on renewable sources and the corresponding infrastructure is ensured. The authors also highlight the potential of hybrid technologies as a transitional solution in the process of transforming the transport sector.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1229life cycle assessment (LCA)fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)hydrogen productiongreenhouse gas emissionstransport decarbonization
spellingShingle Dorota Burchart
Iga Przytuła
Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
Energies
life cycle assessment (LCA)
fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
hydrogen production
greenhouse gas emissions
transport decarbonization
title Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
title_full Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
title_fullStr Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
title_full_unstemmed Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
title_short Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles in Road Transport
title_sort review of environmental life cycle assessment for fuel cell electric vehicles in road transport
topic life cycle assessment (LCA)
fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)
hydrogen production
greenhouse gas emissions
transport decarbonization
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1229
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AT igaprzytuła reviewofenvironmentallifecycleassessmentforfuelcellelectricvehiclesinroadtransport