In the near term, Michigan’s main hydrogen-fuel opportunities are in the transportation sector, specifically medium- and heavy-duty trucks on interstate highways, according to the report. Many of those trucks are not good candidates for replacement with battery-powered electric vehicles.
In addition to medium- and heavy-duty trucks, a potential near-term Michigan application of hydrogen fuel is long-distance ferries, like those that cross Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and that carry national park visitors to Isle Royale, according to the report. Battery-electric ferries are better-suited for shorter routes.
The report also recommended further exploration of hydrogen as a fuel to power Great Lakes freighters, as well as Amtrak and freight trains on Chicago to Detroit/Port Huron routes.