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Battery drive for trucks significantly more efficient than fuel cell

So far, it has been generally accepted that batteries should be used for passenger cars and fuel cells for trucks, so that road transport can be decarbonized accordingly. But the question is whether this can actually merit approval. In the wake of a study, it has now been determined that battery-powered trucks are much more efficient after all, especially in local and regional transport.
As part of the study, researchers took a closer look at fuel cell trucks and examined their characteristics. One factor to which particular attention must be paid is the space available for hydrogen tanks. A maximum of 2,000 liters of hydrogen can be stored in a truck. This is not much in the sense that only 600 kilometers can be driven at 700 bar. With liquid or cryo-compressed hydrogen, ranges of up to 900 kilometers can even be covered. But even, with liquid hydrogen, additional work would have to be done on the appropriate truck, because it alone would not be enough. Hydrogen only becomes liquid and thus roadworthy at minus 253 degrees. But now back to the ordinary fuel cells. However, if the legally required break time of the drivers is taken into account, it fits together well again, because exactly in this time in which the car would be refueled, the truck driver could spend his break time. By the way, the fuel cell stack reaches its peak power at only 17% of the maximum power. Because of this, large stacks would be far better. But at the same time, this increases space consumption and costs. Incidentally, the hydrogen tank has a considerable influence on the geometry of the semitrailer. Due to the tanks, the fifth wheel slides further back, which in turn influences the drive axle and thus the playload, which is one of the most important criteria for the carrier. Although this is also noticeable in battery-powered trucks, it usually only becomes apparent at long distances, especially since battery technology is in constant development. Another issue to be considered is the consumption of such trucks. However, thanks to research development, a more satisfactory result can be expected here as well. The reasons for better consumption will be lightweight construction and higher efficiency. Of course, consumption still increases when the truck is fully loaded, weather influences can nearly be disregarded. In terms of consumption, the fuel cell truck performs only slightly better than a diesel vehicle. The battery-powered truck, on the other hand, has significantly better values in this respect. Consumption is 55-61% below that of a diesel vehicle. This means that the battery-powered vehicle`s consumption is more than twice as good as that of a diesel vehicle. This is due to the lower efficiency values of the combustion engine and fuel cell stacks. The battery-powered truck is also convincing in terms of acquisition costs. Nevertheless, a much better developed infrastructure system is needed here to be able to charge the vehicles accordingly. Incidentally, reference is made once again to waiting time already mentioned, during which the truck would be refueled with hydrogen. The same applies to the charging time. During this time, the haulier could also take his obligatory break.