Cradle-to-gate GHG emissions and decarbonization potentials of minivan-equipped hydrogen fuel cell system

Abstract

Hydrogen fuel cell is promising option for low-carbon transportation but poses concerns regarding potential emission increase in production activities. Limited by insufficient primary data, previous studies relied on incomplete material and energy inventory, leading to uncertain knowledge of life-cycle impacts of fuel cell. This study provided real-world data of material composition and in-plant energy demand for a refined evaluation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation potentials of fuel cell. Result showed cradle-to-gate emissions of an 83.5 kW fuel cell applied to minivan were 5952 kg CO₂-eq, equally contributed by upstream materials production and in-plant electricity and hydrogen consumptions. By 2030, proposed low-carbon strategies are expected to mitigate 66% emissions. The impacts assessed here were higher than preceding studies, which disregarded or underestimated manufacturing stage inputs. It emphasizes the necessity of large-scale field surveys and meta-analyses to maturate accounting standard and refine life-cycle assessment of fuel cell in the future.