Ammonia from Hydrogen: A Viable Pathway to Sustainable Transportation?

Addressing the critical need for sustainable, high-density hydrogen (H2) carriers to decarbonize the global energy landscape, this paper presents a comprehensive critical review of ammonia’s pivotal role in the energy transition, with a specific focus on its application in the transportation sector. While H2 is recognized as a future fuel, its storage and distribution challenges necessitate alternative vectors. Ammonia (NH3), with its compelling advantages including high volumetric H2 density, established global infrastructure, and potential for near-zero greenhouse gas emissions, emerges as a leading candidate. This review uniquely synthesizes the evolving landscape of sustainable NH3 production pathways (e.g., green NH3 from renewable electricity) with a systematic analysis of technological advancements to investigate its direct utilization as a transportation fuel. The paper critically examines the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with NH3-fueled vehicles, refueling infrastructure development, and comprehensive safety considerations, alongside their environmental and economic implications. By providing a consolidated, forward-looking perspective on this complex energy vector, this paper offers crucial insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, highlighting NH3’s transformative potential to accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate transportation sectors and contribute significantly to a sustainable energy future.