Halifax's Hydrogen Bus Gamble Faces Environmental Backlash
Halifax, Friday, 30 May 2025.
Halifax’s hydrogen-diesel bus initiative is under fire for relying on grey hydrogen, which defeats eco-friendly aims. Critics demand a shift to truly sustainable solutions to curb emissions effectively.
Environmental Concerns Overgrey Hydrogen
Halifax’s recent launch of a hydrogen-diesel hybrid bus trial has ignited a debate around its environmental implications. Critics argue that the use of grey hydrogen, which is primarily produced from natural gas and thus emits significant amounts of greenhouse gases, runs counter to the intended goals of reducing emissions. This critique is fuelled by concerns that without substantial investments in green hydrogen infrastructure, the city’s environmental efforts could prove counterproductive [1].
Misaligned Expectations of Diesel Reduction
Projections from Halifax anticipated diesel displacement in the range of 40-60%. However, evidence from a similar trial in Wellington, New Zealand, paints a less optimistic picture with only a 10% actual substitution rate observed [1]. Applying Wellington’s results to Halifax indicates that expected emission reductions might be overly ambitious. The reliance on grey hydrogen might only exacerbate the issue, as it could add upstream emissions, thereby overshadowing diesel savings [1][2].
Economic and Environmental Implications
The dual-fuel initiative has drawn criticism for its potential financial consequences, too. The city has invested a significant amount—approximately $490,000 combined from municipal and provincial funds, including contributions from the Clean Fuels Fund, with the aim of testing this hybrid technology [2][3]. Such an investment is seen as risky given the unproven scalability and environmental benefit of the current technology used. Industry professionals suggest Halifax should opt for more sustainable alternatives, primarily battery-electric buses, which have shown proven emissions reductions in current operations [1][2].
The Case for Battery-Electric Buses
While Halifax explores the contentious hydrogen-diesel option, it also stands behind an ambitious plan to bolster its electric fleet with over 200 battery-electric buses by 2028 [1]. This plan is seen as a pragmatic step towards fleet decarbonisation given the falling costs and rising efficiency of electric batteries over the past decade [1][2]. Battery-electric buses have already begun operation successfully, demonstrating both feasibility and a more promising environmental impact compared to the nascent hydrogen-diesel hybrid technology [2].
Public and Governmental Expectations
The Halifax pilot bus project has caught the eye of not only critics but also various stakeholders waiting to see if hydrogen can deliver on its promises. With the province heavily investing in green hydrogen infrastructure, stakeholders emphasise the need for genuine sustainability rather than what some call a ‘marketing exercise’ [3]. Meanwhile, the civic approach towards hydrogen-diesel hybrids reflects a cautious experiment rather than a full-fledged solution to environmental challenges [2][3].