Pathways to the hydrogen mobility futures in German public transportation: A scenario analysis

The present study elaborates on the perspectives of fuel cell electric buses in German public transportation from a purely economic point of view and formulates recommendations for policies in public transportation in Germany. To this end, the study proposes nine valid scenarios and embeds diesel and fuel-cell bus operations into them. The total cost of ownership-based scenario analysis shows that beginning from 2035 fuel cell electric buses will be economically more attractive than diesel buses. The study identifies carbon pricing and subsidization of solar and wind power generation as the central drivers of fuel cell-based public transportation.

Automated summary

The present study explores the economic perspectives of fuel cell electric buses in German public transportation and provides policy recommendations. Nine valid scenarios are proposed and the study shows that starting from 2035, fuel cell electric buses will be economically more attractive than diesel buses based on total cost of ownership analysis. Carbon pricing and subsidization of solar and wind power generation are identified as the central drivers of fuel cell-based public transportation.