Some of the world’s leading vehicle markets have already committed to, and in some cases legislated, a timeline for the phaseout of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Additionally, in many markets, the transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) over hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is being incentivised to accelerate the shift towards zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).
While these measures effectively guarantee a future for BEVs, their adoption has recently encountered the proverbial bump in the road. Despite global sales reaching 10 million units in 2023 for a share of just over 11%, this growth was lower in terms of both forecast and unit sales growth than in 2022. This has been attributed to a lack of affordable BEVs in most markets except China, the removal of incentives in several key markets, and shortcomings in public charging infrastructure. At the same time, PHEVs reversed a declining trend to increase their share of the global plug-in market (BEV + PHEV) from 27,2% to nearly 30%, likely a confirmation of ongoing customer concerns regarding public charging and range. This has resulted in the postponement or cancellation of some BEV projects and delayed the switching of some factories from ICE to BEV production.
Against this background, the question needs to be asked: what has happened to the use of hydrogen as an alternative to BEVs? After initially being touted as one of the viable alternatives to achieving zero vehicle emissions, and offering similar refuelling times and range to ICE vehicles, less than a handful of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are currently on sale. Before exploring the reasons for this, it’s helpful to understand the different types of hydrogen-powered vehicles – hydrogen internal combustion engines (HICE) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
HICE VS FCEV DRIVETRAINS
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Denne historien er fra June 21, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
