E-ISSN: 2980-2121
The use of hydrogen-powered vehicles in natural disasters: A review
1Department of Electrical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Clean Energy Technologies Journal (CETJ) - DOI: 10.14744/cetj.2025.0002

Abstract

Ensuring energy continuity in the aftermath of disasters is a growing global concern, particularly as extreme weather events and infrastructure disruptions become more frequent. Hydrogen-powered mobile energy systems, especially Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), offer a promising solution due to their clean operation, high mobility, and capability to function independently of damaged grid infrastructure. This study presents a comprehensive review of hydrogen-based mobile technologies in the context of disaster resilience. It categorizes key technologies—including hydrogen production methods, storage solutions, and fuel cell types—and explores their integration into microgrid and vehicle-to-load (V2L) applications. Real-world implementations in Japan, South Korea, the United States, Germany, and Puerto Rico are examined to identify operational benefits and constraints. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is conducted to evaluate technical, economic, and regulatory factors, and research gaps are discussed with emphasis on the lack of real-time task-routing models and AI-supported dispatch systems. The paper concludes with a strategic roadmap and policy recommendations to facilitate the deployment of hydrogen-powered mobile units in future emergency response frameworks.