This technical blog post advocates for hydrogen fuel cell trucks as a viable decarbonization technology by providing detailed thermodynamic analysis, cost comparison, and international deployment evidence. The content champions scientific literacy and free access to technical knowledge while engaging substantively with environmental sustainability and renewable energy integration. However, the analysis notably neglects labor rights, social equity, and international cooperation frameworks surrounding hydrogen infrastructure development.
Excellent analysis. Two points: what if 1) only surplus energy from offshore wind would be used for green H2 electrolysis and 2) the price would be at or below £/€/$ 1.50 per Kg?
I think the Edison motors approach will be the most future-proof, using drop-in power supply bricks, one can abstract the power source to the point where it won't matter if it's a fuel cell, natural gas turbine or a new battery technology, to the truck it's just electricity (plus or minus some metadata for things like regen breaking or engine gear)
Would a system like the one in China - with the user of methanol conversion from excess Wind/Solar/Other power gen (even idle coal) making it much more flexible to generate/transport/store rather than trying to buildout gas distribution.
With the added advantage of fuel cell swaps [0] and reload giving the trucks a quicker turnaround time per charge (i think similar op is used for electric trucks as well as some consumer car models)
It certainly solves the problem of recharge points as the infra can be rolled out piecemeal, and since it would be for heavy trucks less disruptive of the rest of the cityscape (can have the outside metroplitan areas etc with maybe emergency stops within)
Good article, as always hydrogen for transport is dead. Unfortunately, as they say, what is dead can never die. And there will always be companies trying to siphon off public funds to do “trial runs”.
One thing that seems wrong is in the efficiency comparison: step 1 for hydrogen should be grid transmission, not electrolyzer.
Also, how come the BEV price doesn’t adjust in response to electricity prices (not that it would impact the result).
Hydrogen has been the future as long as I have been paying attention to electric cars. There are many problems with it, including Hydrogen is the smallest molecule. It leaks through seals, embrittles metals, and has terrible energy density by volume. You either compress it to 700 bar (heavy tanks), liquefy it at -253°C (energy-intensive), or store it in metal hydrides (heavy, slow release). Solid state batteries are much more interesting. They extend EV range to 600-1000 miles and enable 10-minute charging. If they work at scale, they kill hydrogen for cars, trucks, and probably short-haul aviation too.
Or -hear me out- we can put these long I beams on the ground and put some cables above. Then tie 50 trucks to each other and they can get whatever kind of electricity from anything you can make electricity out of.
Thanks. Both good questions, and they come up a lot.
To be clear, I'm fully behind decarbonising freight. It's one of the hardest sectors to clean up and it needs serious attention. But hydrogen for road transport requires jumping in with both feet (due to infrastructure requirements) when there are dozens of smaller, commercially proven steps that get you equivalent results. Better route planning, driver training, aerodynamic retrofits, hybrid and battery electric for shorter routes, even just reducing empty running.
These aren't exciting and they don't get press releases, but they compound. The industry could cut emissions meaningfully with changes that pay for themselves today, without waiting for a national hydrogen infrastructure that doesn't exist yet.
On surplus offshore wind: the economics only work if you assume the electricity is genuinely surplus, meaning there's literally no other use for it. In practice, the UK grid still runs gas plants for roughly 40% of generation. Every MWh of offshore wind that goes into an electrolyser instead of displacing gas is a missed decarbonisation opportunity. "Surplus" renewable electricity is a future state, not a current one, and even when we get there, interconnectors, grid storage, and demand response will compete for those MWh. The electrolyser only makes sense after all of those higher value uses are saturated.
On £1.50/kg: that would genuinely change the fuel cost picture, getting you to roughly 12-15p per mile which is competitive with diesel. But the distribution problem doesn't go away at any price point. You still need compression or liquefaction, transport, and a national network of dispensing stations. The UK has 11 public hydrogen stations. Even free hydrogen doesn't help if there's nowhere to fill up. The grid is already everywhere. Adding a charger to a depot is a transformer upgrade. Adding a hydrogen station is a £2-5M civil engineering project.
The place where cheap green hydrogen gets really exciting is exactly the applications where you can't just plug in: steel, ammonia, seasonal storage, maritime. Those don't need a distributed national refuelling network, they need point to point bulk delivery to industrial sites and ports, which is a much more tractable logistics problem.
This has been tried a few times. The sticking point has always been twofold
0- this is a massive upfront investment for what amounts to a small time savings (having extra batteries on hand, charging them and the equipment to remove / move / install the heavy units
1- unless manufacturers agree to share a specification, you're tied to a single brand and risk being shut out of replacements when that inevitably goes away because it didn't catch on or got deprecated
2- for individual consumers, the battery is the most expensive component of their vehicle, and trading it for a used one of unspecified origen to save a few minutes instead of charging is not appealing.
Given one and two, overcoming the expense of 0 is not at all economical for many situations. The ones that most need it can't afford it, or could be satisfied with relatively short high voltage charging.
Editorial Channel
What the content says
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Article 19Freedom of Expression
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SETL
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Content exercises and models freedom of expression through detailed technical opinion and analysis on hydrogen truck economics. Author presents original analysis, data, and reasoned critique without apparent censorship.
FW Ratio: 50%
Observable Facts
Author is identified by name (Michael Ayles) at page header and throughout site.
Content presents original technical analysis, calculations, and critical evaluation of hydrogen truck technology.
Page is published on a personal blog with no apparent editorial gatekeeping or interference.
Article includes a table with cost comparisons and efficiency analysis, presenting original data synthesis.
Inferences
Author identification and byline support accountability for expressed opinions.
Original analysis and data synthesis demonstrate active exercise of expression right.
Absence of editorial gatekeeping suggests free publication without censorship.
No linked corrections policy or editorial standards may limit transparency in how errors would be addressed.
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Article 27Cultural Participation
High Advocacy
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SETL
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Content engages substantively with right to share in scientific advancement through analysis of hydrogen fuel cell technology, renewable electricity integration, and energy conversion efficiency. Author presents technical analysis of emerging technology, contributing to public understanding of scientific progress. Content demonstrates scientific literacy and participates in democratizing technical knowledge.
FW Ratio: 57%
Observable Facts
Article provides detailed thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production and conversion, explaining scientific principles.
Author cites real-world deployment data (Hyundai XCIENT trucks with 20 million kilometers logged).
Content includes comparative analysis of hydrogen pathways: grey, blue, and green hydrogen with lifecycle emissions discussion.
Technical calculations are presented transparently with methodology visible (electrolyser efficiency, transmission losses, motor-to-wheel conversion).
Data citations and methodology transparency support informed engagement with scientific knowledge.
Critical analysis of hydrogen economics contributes to broader societal understanding of energy technology choices.
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Article 26Education
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Content addresses education and technical literacy through detailed explanation of hydrogen thermodynamics, conversion efficiency, and energy economics. Author educates reader on complex engineering concepts with calculations and comparative analysis.
FW Ratio: 57%
Observable Facts
Article explains thermodynamic concepts (electrolysis efficiency, conversion losses) with supporting calculations and data tables.
Visual representation includes efficiency diagrams and cost comparisons to support comprehension.
Theme toggle (dark mode) indicates consideration for varied reading preferences and accessibility needs.
Content is free and requires no registration or payment to access.
Absence of alt text in SVG charts may limit educational access for visually impaired learners.
Free public access democratizes access to technical knowledge.
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Article 25Standard of Living
Medium Advocacy Practice
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Content indirectly engages with right to adequate standard of living through analysis of hydrogen truck economics and decarbonization. Discussion of energy efficiency, cost, and technology adoption relates to environmental sustainability and quality of life.
FW Ratio: 60%
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Article analyzes cost-effectiveness of hydrogen vs. diesel vs. battery electric, relating energy systems to economic welfare.
Discussion of renewable electricity and decarbonization addresses environmental sustainability.
Content is freely accessible without subscription or registration requirements.
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Technical analysis of energy economics indirectly addresses standards of living through infrastructure sustainability.
Free access enables readers to obtain information needed for informed decisions about sustainable standards.
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Article 28Social & International Order
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Content engages with social and international order insofar as it analyzes hydrogen technology adoption across Europe and North America. However, the focus is narrowly technical and economic; analysis does not explicitly address how hydrogen systems support or undermine international cooperation, environmental justice, or equitable access to technology.
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Observable Facts
Article references Hyundai XCIENT deployment across Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, and North America.
Content notes geographic disparity: 'None of them operate in the UK,' implying policy or infrastructure barriers.
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Geographic analysis hints at international policy divergence but does not address equity or cooperation frameworks.
Technical framing may obscure underlying social and political structures determining technology adoption across regions.
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Article 23Work & Equal Pay
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Content discusses commercial hydrogen truck logistics but does not engage substantively with labor rights, fair wages, or working conditions. The framing prioritizes technical efficiency and cost analysis over labor considerations. No mention of workforce, employment terms, or labor standards in hydrogen industry.
FW Ratio: 60%
Observable Facts
Content focuses on vehicle efficiency, electricity costs, and hydrogen production pathways.
Labor costs, working conditions, or employee protections are not mentioned or analyzed.
Discussion of truck operators and supply chains is framed entirely through logistics and economic efficiency.
Inferences
Omission of labor considerations in technical analysis may indicate deprioritization of worker protections.
Framing of commercial logistics without labor perspective reduces visibility of labor rights issues in hydrogen supply chains.
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Article 2Non-Discrimination
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Content is non-discriminatory in its technical treatment; no exclusionary language or bias observed.
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Page includes a dark mode theme toggle, indicating some accessibility awareness.
Content uses structured HTML and CSS grid layout for responsive design.
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The theme toggle suggests consideration for users with visual sensitivity needs.
SVG chart rendering without alt text may exclude screen reader users, limiting non-discriminatory access.
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Article 3Life, Liberty, Security
Content does not address right to life or security of person.
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Article 4No Slavery
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Article 13Freedom of Movement
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FW Ratio: 67%
Observable Facts
Page is publicly accessible with no login requirement or paywall.
DCP notes free, unrestricted access to article content.
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Removal of access barriers facilitates reader freedom to obtain information.
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Article 14Asylum
Content does not address asylum or refugee status.
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Article 15Nationality
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Article 16Marriage & Family
Content does not address marriage, family, or consent.
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Content does not engage with property rights or expropriation.
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Article 18Freedom of Thought
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Content does not engage with political participation or voting.
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Article 24Rest & Leisure
Content does not address rest, leisure, or working time.
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Article 29Duties to Community
Content does not address limitations on individual rights in the interest of community.
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Article 30No Destruction of Rights
Content does not engage with state or group suppression of UDHR rights.
Structural Channel
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No privacy policy or data handling statements visible on page.
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No terms of service linked on page.
Accessibility
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Site includes CSS grid layout and structured HTML, but chart rendering via SVG may not include alt text. Theme toggle present (dark mode) indicates some accessibility awareness.
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No explicit mission statement visible. Personal technical blog focused on engineering analysis.
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No editorial code of conduct or corrections policy linked.
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Author identified as Michael Ayles. No organizational affiliation stated.
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Article 25 Article 26
Content is free and publicly accessible. No paywalls or registration barriers observed.
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No advertising or tracking pixels evident in provided content.
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Article 13Freedom of Movement
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Content is freely accessible without paywalls or registration barriers, supporting freedom of movement to information.
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Article 19Freedom of Expression
Medium Advocacy Practice
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Public blog format with byline (Michael Ayles) provides author identification and accountability. No apparent gatekeeping, editorial interference, or removal mechanisms. However, no explicit editorial standards or corrections policy linked.
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Article 25Standard of Living
Medium Advocacy Practice
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Context Modifier
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Content is freely accessible, removing economic barriers to information. DCP notes public access without paywalls or registration.
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Article 26Education
Medium Advocacy Practice
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Structured HTML and theme accessibility measures support educational access. DCP notes that SVG charts may lack alt text, which could impair accessibility for some learners. Free public access removes economic barriers to technical education.
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Article 2Non-Discrimination
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Domain DCP notes partial accessibility measures (theme toggle, structured HTML) but SVG charts may lack alt text, limiting inclusive access.
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PreamblePreamble
No structural signals related to Preamble commitments.
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Article 1Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood
No observable structural commitment to universal equality.
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Article 3Life, Liberty, Security
No structural signals related to life safety or security.
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Article 4No Slavery
No observable structural issues related to forced labor or trafficking.
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Article 5No Torture
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Article 6Legal Personhood
No structural signals related to recognition as a person.
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Article 7Equality Before Law
No structural signals related to legal equality.
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Article 8Right to Remedy
No structural signals related to legal recourse.
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Article 9No Arbitrary Detention
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Article 10Fair Hearing
No structural signals related to judicial fairness.
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Article 11Presumption of Innocence
No structural signals related to criminal justice.
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Article 12Privacy
DCP notes no privacy policy visible; however, content itself is non-intrusive analysis and does not address privacy rights directly.
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Article 14Asylum
No structural signals related to asylum rights.
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Article 15Nationality
No structural signals related to nationality.
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Article 16Marriage & Family
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Article 17Property
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Article 18Freedom of Thought
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Article 20Assembly & Association
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Article 21Political Participation
No structural signals related to political participation.
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Article 22Social Security
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Article 23Work & Equal Pay
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Article 24Rest & Leisure
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Article 27Cultural Participation
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Article 28Social & International Order
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No structural signals related to international order.
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Article 29Duties to Community
No structural signals related to balancing individual and community rights.
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Article 30No Destruction of Rights
No structural signals related to suppression of rights.
Supplementary Signals
Epistemic Quality
0.73medium claims
Sources
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Evidence
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Uncertainty
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Purpose
0.8
Propaganda Flags
1techniques detected
causal oversimplification
Article concludes 'The truck is not the problem. The problem is everything around it' without substantiating this claim with evidence or acknowledging truck-specific factors that may contribute.
Solution Orientation
0.41problem only
Reader Agency
0.3
Emotional Tone
measured
Valence
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Arousal
0.4
Dominance
0.6
Stakeholder Voice
0.352 perspectives
Speaks: individuals
About: corporationworkers
Temporal Framing
presentmedium term
Geographic Scope
regional
Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, North America, UK, Europe
Complexity
technicalhigh jargondomain specific
Transparency
0.33
✓ Author✗ Conflicts✗ Funding
Event Timeline
20 events
2026-02-26 05:07
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2026-02-26 05:01
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Dead-lettered after 1 attempts: The Hydrogen Truck Problem Isn't the Truck
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Dead-lettered after 1 attempts: The Hydrogen Truck Problem Isn't the Truck
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2026-02-26 02:50
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Evaluated: Mild positive (0.16)
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2026-02-26 02:31
dlq_replay
DLQ message 586 replayed: The Hydrogen Truck Problem Isn't the Truck
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2026-02-26 01:54
dlq
Dead-lettered after 1 attempts: The Hydrogen Truck Problem Isn't the Truck
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2026-02-26 01:54
dlq
Dead-lettered after 1 attempts: The Hydrogen Truck Problem Isn't the Truck
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2026-02-26 01:18
eval_failure
Evaluation failed: Error: Anthropic API error 400: {"type":"error","error":{"type":"invalid_request_error","message":"Your credit balance is too low to access the Anthropic API. Please go to Plans & Billing to upgrade o