Decarbonising Transport: Why the Transition Begins at the Extremes
While electric cars dominate headlines, the real story of decarbonising transport begins at the extremes: ultra-light vehicles and heavy freight. These are the proving grounds for both battery and hydrogen solutions, and they’re shaping how we’ll reach net zero faster than many expect.
- Early Adoption in Transport Extremes
- Batteries vs Hydrogen in Decarbonisation
- Commercialisation Pathways
- Strategic Implications for Industry & Policy
Early Adoption in Transport Extremes
Decarbonisation rarely starts with the average commuter car. Instead, adoption begins at the margins: lightweight e-mobility in cities and heavy-duty freight. Both extremes have urgent needs and clear use cases. Micromobility — scooters, bikes, compact EVs — is growing fast in Asia, while logistics companies are testing hydrogen freight solutions for long-haul transport. These are sectors where the economics of efficiency and sustainability align early.
Batteries vs Hydrogen in Transport Decarbonisation
The narrative often pits battery EVs against hydrogen fuel cells, but the truth is complementary. Batteries dominate in light, short-range vehicles where charging is easy and weight matters. Hydrogen, with higher energy density, finds its niche in heavy transport: trucks, ships, and potentially aviation. As UCL research and the IPCC highlight, each technology addresses different constraints in infrastructure and performance.
Commercialisation Pathways
History shows new technologies scale when they first succeed in clear niches. Lightweight EVs prove the business case for battery innovation. Hydrogen scales through logistics hubs and industrial corridors. Initiatives like EASAC reports confirm that blending both is crucial. Instead of chasing the middle — the suburban family car — commercialisation begins where demand, economics, and policy incentives converge fastest.
Strategic Implications for Industry & Policy
For industry, this means focusing R&D at the margins: micromobility fleets and heavy freight corridors. For policymakers, it means funding pilots where the impact is immediate and measurable. The extremes are not sideshows — they are the entry points. Understanding this dynamic allows investors, regulators, and founders to back the right technology at the right time.
The transition to net zero is often portrayed as a battle for the mainstream, but history — and data — show us it begins at the edges. Whether it’s scooters in Shanghai or hydrogen trucks crossing Europe, the extremes set the pace. If we get those right, the middle will follow naturally.
For more on energy, governance, and startup resilience, explore my extracts from Born to Disrupt or see my work on boards & governance.
