Hydrogen Hits the Roads

The FCEV and EV Drive and Ride at the Hannover Fair is a big success: long lines, even in the rain, are forming the first days of the fair for test drives . The Fair with more than 5.000 exhibitors, over half foreign, has seen an increase of exhibitors of 8%.  ”Greenintelligence” has been the fair’s theme over recent years and the clean energy and clean transport showcases are also this year very prominent. The Drive and Ride includes the VW Tuareg HyMotion, Daimler FCELL,  Honda FCX Clarity and Toyota FCHV adv and Opel  HydroGen4, who is bringing 10 FCEV to the fair.

The Danish Government has announced a new Energy Plan 2020 that includes establishment of a range of initiatives for hydrogen infrastructure.

The first fleet in the world of hydrogen fuelled 3-wheelers or rickshaws was launched inNew Delhi. It is complemented by a hydrogen refueling station established at Pragati Maidan. 

Toyota unveiled its commercialization plans for  its  fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 7, 2012, presenting its FCV-R concept. Didier Leroy, head of Toyota’s European operations said: “Our plan is to launch our fuel cell product by 2012 and we are preparing to be able to produce tens of thousands per year by 2020”. Mr. Leroy added that the FCV-R  ”represents a big step towards the ultimate eco-car, a car with zero emissions”. The FCV-R is build on Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® , an adaptable platform, which can accommodate plug-in hybrids, battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. Standardising and sharing components across different platforms will be a key contributor to cost reduction as the commercialization of FCEV is approaching.

EU support for fuel cell electric power train development will ensure that Europe keeps its competitive edge in fuel cell electric power train development in the global roll-out of electric vehicles. Daimler director for Strategic energy projects and market development BEV / FCV,  Joerg Wind presented the view of Daimler of the role of different power trains in future transport applications in a packed session at the EU Parliament on February 28, 2012.  Invited by Bulgarian MEP  Vladko Todorov Panayotov, EHA president Ian Willamson moderated the session, referring to the role of  the EHA and its 21 national association and industry members, including Linde, Air Products, Air Liquide,  SHEL, Ballast Nedam and  ENI,  to facilitate roll-out of the required hydrogen infrastructure at national and local level.

Honda has recently  joined the Clean Energy Partnership  (CEP) to drive further hydrogen adoption in Europe.   
        

According to the latest annual evaluation by H2stations.org, twelve new hydrogen refuelling stations opened throughout the world in 2011.

Click on the red markers to see more information about each facility.

The European Think Tank Bruegel launched a study sponsored by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking FCH JU, entitled “Public Support for the Energy and Transport System Transition”on February 2, 2012, calling for the integration of transport in Europe’s Emission Trading System to ensure the rapid commercialisation of  new technologies like fuel cell powered vehicles. “To enable the private sector to make the necessary investments for development and deployment of the technologies needed for the energy and transport system transition, a set of smart policies needs to be implemented.” Michael Holtermann the Project Leader of European School of Management and Technology‘s Market Model Electric Mobility Project reflected. The study also points to the role  of temporary infrastructure consortia for the different low-carbon fuels that would plan the deployment of its respective refueling  infrastructure. Each consortium would be given the exclusive right to sell local concessions for new fuel stations to interested retailers so that  competition between different low-carbon fuels and different retailers would be ensured. To enable the private sector to make the necessary investments for development and deployment of the technologies needed for the energy and transport system transition, a set of smart policies needs to be implemented. The Bruegel suggests that “the cost of carbon in different [...]

Aberdeen city councilors have unanimously agreed to support a multi-million pound European project to introduce hydrogen buses in the North-east. The expectation is that the Strategic European Hydrogen Transport Projects will stimulate further innovative hydrogen technology projects and high-level investment in the area, realising Aberdeen’s aspiration of becoming a world-leading hydrogen city.
The project will see the first hydrogen bus deployment in Scotland, with up to a dozen buses operating in the North-east. The bus fleet, which will operate on routes into central Aberdeen, will be the largest in any European city.
The buses will be refuelled at Scotland’s first large hydrogen refuelling station which will supply locally generated gas and be able to refuel hydrogen-powered cars as they become available. The city council has secured £9.2million of EU funding towards the projects, has committed to contribute £2million over four years and will secure a further £9.3million of funding from project partners.
At a meeting of the Full Council, councillors approved the authority’s participation in the High V.Lo City, HyTransit, HyTrEc and LOWCAP cluster projects, subject to securing 90% of additional funding from external partners.