HD Hyundai plans to unveil its first commercial hydrogen-powered 14-ton wheeled excavator at Bauma 2025. This excavator utilizes a hydrogen fuel cell system developed by Hyundai Mobis, providing a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel-powered machinery. Field testing is already underway with the goal of commercial availability in 2026 after the official debut. This excavator represents a significant step towards decarbonizing the construction industry.
Toyota has slashed the effective price of its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in California. By combining a $5,050 price reduction with an additional $15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel, the car's cost to consumers could be as low as just over $15,000, depending on the lease deal. This aggressive pricing strategy aims to increase adoption of hydrogen vehicles and address the limited refueling infrastructure currently available.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the viability of hydrogen cars, even with the substantial price reduction and fuel incentive. Several point out the lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure as a major hurdle, emphasizing the inconvenience compared to readily available EV charging. Others question the "free fuel" claim, suspecting it's baked into the cost and highlighting the ongoing expense after the initial allotment. Some commenters also criticize hydrogen's overall efficiency compared to battery electric vehicles, citing energy losses in production, storage, and transport. A few express interest in the technology, but the overall sentiment leans towards practicality concerns and doubts about hydrogen's future in personal transportation.
Summary of Comments ( 25 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42851782
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the viability of hydrogen fuel cell excavators. Several question the overall efficiency of hydrogen as a fuel source, citing energy losses in production, storage, and transport compared to battery-electric alternatives. Some raise concerns about the practicality of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for construction sites. Others point to the successful adoption of battery-electric excavators and question the need for hydrogen in this application. A few commenters note the potential advantages of hydrogen for heavy-duty equipment needing longer run times or operating in extreme conditions, but acknowledge the current limitations in infrastructure and cost. The overall sentiment leans towards favoring battery-electric technology as the more mature and efficient option for excavators.
The Hacker News post discussing the HD Hyundai 14-ton hydrogen excavator has generated several comments exploring various aspects of hydrogen fuel cell technology in construction equipment.
Several commenters express skepticism about the practicality of hydrogen fuel cells, particularly concerning the energy density of hydrogen compared to diesel and the lack of refueling infrastructure. One commenter questions the overall efficiency of the process, pointing out the energy losses in producing, storing, transporting, and finally using hydrogen. They also raise concerns about the safety aspects of handling hydrogen. Another echoes this sentiment, highlighting the existing, robust diesel infrastructure and questioning the economic viability of switching to hydrogen. The relative complexity of hydrogen fuel cells compared to traditional internal combustion engines is also mentioned as a potential drawback.
Conversely, some comments offer a more optimistic outlook on hydrogen's potential. One commenter suggests that hydrogen could be a viable option for specific niche applications where emissions are highly regulated, such as indoor or underground operations. They acknowledge the current limitations but believe the technology could mature over time. Another commenter emphasizes the environmental benefits of hydrogen, particularly its zero tailpipe emissions, which could contribute to cleaner air in construction sites.
A discussion unfolds around the comparison of hydrogen fuel cells with battery-electric alternatives. Some argue that battery-electric excavators are a more practical solution for many applications due to their simpler infrastructure requirements and potentially lower overall cost. Others point out that hydrogen could be advantageous for larger equipment or applications requiring longer operating times, where the weight and charging time of batteries become significant limitations. One commenter suggests that hydrogen might be more suitable for heavier machinery where the energy demands are higher, while batteries might be better suited for lighter equipment.
One commenter questions the claimed "production" status of the excavator, pointing out the lack of specific details on availability and pricing, and suggesting it might still be in the prototype stage. Another commenter expresses curiosity about the specific operating conditions and duty cycles where hydrogen would offer a true advantage over existing technologies.
Finally, there's a brief discussion about the potential for government regulations and incentives to drive the adoption of hydrogen technology in the construction industry.