Key facts
- LNK Energies' technology converts diesel trucks to hydrogen power.
- The system uses liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) and a compact on-board reactor.
- The company claims the total cost of ownership for a converted truck is 13% cheaper than diesel.
- LNK's reactor is the size of a mini fridge, significantly smaller than typical LOHC reactors.
- The system eliminates the need for expensive hydrogen compression on the truck.
- LNK aims to undercut diesel prices at $6.50 per gallon after producing 50-100 trucks.
An MIT startup, LNK Energies, has developed a technology to convert existing heavy-duty diesel trucks into hydrogen-powered vehicles, aiming to reduce both pollution and operational costs. The system utilizes liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) which store hydrogen chemically, and a significantly downsized on-board reactor to release the hydrogen as needed.
According to LNK Energies, this approach eliminates the need for expensive and energy-intensive hydrogen compression typically required for storage. The company's chief technology officer, Alexis Huynh, stated that their reactor is about the size of a mini fridge, a stark contrast to the shipping container-sized reactors used by other LOHC companies. This allows the hydrogen to be released directly on the truck.
Co-founder and CEO Sayandeep Biswas explained that the released hydrogen can be used in modified conventional internal combustion engines, similar to those in current diesel trucks, or in fuel cells for zero-emission electric powertrains. The LOHC fuel can be stored and dispensed using standard diesel infrastructure, alleviating the need for a widespread hydrogen fueling network.
LNK Energies projects that the total cost of ownership for a converted Class 8 truck will be 13% cheaper than diesel. They aim to achieve a fuel price of $6.50 per gallon after producing between 50 and 100 trucks, without relying on government subsidies. The company plans to demonstrate a larger version of its reactor in a commercial truck within 18 months and will present its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt.