In Uruguay, electric vehicles have proven to be more effective for heavy transport than hydrogen vehicles.
According to Ignacio Morga, President of the Uruguayan Hydrogen Association (AUH): “Electric heavy-duty vehicles have made significant advances in range and efficiency, especially for distances not as long as those prevalent in Uruguay.”
Uruguay’s geography and population distribution play a crucial role in this preference.
“80% of the population is concentrated in the south, within a 50-kilometre radius of Montevideo,” Morga notes.
As a result, this facilitates access to a well-distributed electrical grid, which removes the difficulties of establishing charging points for electric vehicles.
“In a country with such a well-distributed electrical grid and relatively short distances, electric vehicles are the most viable option,” Morga asserts.
In terms of costs, the comparison between hydrogen, electric, and fossil fuel vehicles remains a determining factor.
If the lifecycle of a hydrogen vehicle, including acquisition, maintenance, and fuel, does not achieve certain parity with fossil fuel vehicles, mass adoption is unlikely.
The medium- and long-term outlook for hydrogen mobility in Uruguay is uncertain.
Therefore, Morga emphasises that “hydrogen technology is about 10 years behind electric mobility.”
Furthermore, the country already has a well-planned energy development supported by broad political consensus, which favours the continued transition to clean energy.
Morga concludes that, while hydrogen has potential, in Uruguay’s current context, electric vehicles present a more immediate and effective solution for heavy transport.
This preference for electric vehicles is not only based on the country’s geography and energy infrastructure but also on technological and economic development.
“We are at a stage of significant development. What seemed a logical solution three years ago might not be today. Electric mobility has advanced rapidly and has proven to be more practical and accessible for heavy transport in Uruguay,” Ignacio concludes.
Is hydrogen a mirage for mobility?
Promising hydrogen, in terms of sustainable mobility, has faced several obstacles in its implementation.
A heavy-duty hydrogen transport project, initiated in 2018 under the previous government, aimed to implement a pilot with 10 hydrogen cargo trucks.
However, according to Morga, “The pandemic and the change of government delayed progress.”
Despite a renewed push in 2021 with a revised roadmap, the results have not been as successful as hoped.
“A company involved in timber transport received a $10 million grant to operate these trucks for 10 years, but significant progress has yet to be achieved,” explains the president.
Another company, Ventus, has made slightly more progress with its project, collaborating with a paper mill and advancing in environmental aspects and solar generation.
Nevertheless, acquiring hydrogen vehicles remains a challenge. Distrust in new technologies and the limited experience of manufacturers hinder access to a firm supply and guarantees regarding the performance of these vehicles.
Dealers prepare to advance in zero-emission heavy vehicles
One of the main current focuses to accelerate electric mobility in Uruguay is the introduction of electric trucks in heavy transport.
Consequently, to speed up the transition to heavy electric trucks, action is needed on the supply side.
Therefore, Caracor S.A., one of the companies in the Paleson group, will bring in two new electric heavy-duty vehicles.
One of these is the Windrose EV model, a groundbreaking vehicle in Latin America, as it promises a range of 900 kilometres.
This truck, similar in design to the well-known Tesla Semi but manufactured in China and at a lower cost, is set to revolutionise logistics transport in the region.
“It’s a truck that has not yet been mass-marketed, but thanks to our strategic partnership with the manufacturer in China, we have the opportunity to be pioneers in its commercialisation,” explains Osvaldo Sánchez, Director of Paleson.
Another model that will arrive in the country in the near future is an electric truck from the Dayun brand, which has a range of 240 kilometres and can tow a total of 56 tonnes.
Currently, this model is used by a sugar mill in Costa Rica.
However, the version arriving in Uruguay will have some modifications, as one of the companies that will use it is UPM, a pulp mill.
“Due to UPM’s requirements, some details in the configuration of the model coming to the country will be adjusted,” Sánchez details.
To learn more about eMobility in Latin America, visit Mobility Portal Latinoamérica.
