An MIT startup, LNK Energies, has developed a method to convert existing heavy-duty trucks from diesel to hydrogen. This technology aims to cut pollution and operating costs, potentially shielding operators from fuel price volatility.
Alexis Huynh, CTO at LNK Energies, stated that the total cost of ownership for a converted Class 8 truck could be 13% cheaper than a diesel truck. The company's approach involves carrying hydrogen chemically attached to liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs).
LNK Energies has reportedly shrunk the reactor needed to separate hydrogen from the LOHC, from the size of a shipping container to that of a mini-fridge, allowing it to fit on a truck. This on-board release of hydrogen eliminates the need for high-pressure storage, which typically requires significant power for compression.
Once released, the hydrogen can be burned in a modified conventional internal combustion engine or used in fuel cells to power electric motors. The LOHC can be stored and dispensed like diesel fuel, potentially utilising existing infrastructure.