Hydrogen-Powered Public Transportation Systems: Infrastructure Planning, Performance, and Sustainability Assessment

Abstract

ABSTRACT The urgent global mandate to decarbonize urban mobility has accelerated the transition from conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to zero-emission transit technologies. While battery electric buses (BEVs) have seen widespread adoption, their operational limitations—such as long charging durations, limited driving ranges, and grid degradation—present substantial challenges for heavy-duty, continuous public transport service. Hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) have emerged as a highly viable alternative, offering extended range, rapid refueling capabilities, and operational parity with conventional diesel systems. This review paper provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art analysis of hydrogen-powered public transportation systems, focusing on infrastructure planning, multi criteria performance metrics, and well-to-wheel (WTW) sustainability. We examine hydrogen production and refueling station (HRS) network deployment methodologies, evaluating physical delivery, liquid refueling, and on-site electrolysis. Performance metrics are synthesized across fuel cell stack efficiency, degradation dynamics, energy density, and total cost of ownership (TCO). Furthermore, a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) reveals that while grey hydrogen yields marginal climate benefits over Euro VI diesel, green hydrogen synthesized via renewable electrolysis achieves a 95% reduction in WTW greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Strategic recommendations for network optimization, technoeconomic viability, and policy frameworks are formulated to guide transit authorities and urban planners.

KEYWORDS: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs); Infrastructure Planning; Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS); Well-to-Wheel (WTW) Analysis; Total Cost of Ownership (TCO); Decarbonization; Urban Transit Networks.