Germany is planning to invest €40 million in an expansion of the country’s network of hydrogen refuelling stations from 15 to 50 over the next three years.
The Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) signed a letter of intent with several industrial partners last week to work together on the plans as part of the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP).
Air Liquide, Air Products, Daimler, Linde and Total Germany will collaborate with BMVBS to construct and test hydrogen filling stations to serve the 5000 fuel cell vehicles expected to be on Germany’s roads by then.
“To facilitate the introduction [of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles] to the market, we need a network of filling stations that covers the major metropolitan areas and connects them to each other,” says Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development, Peter Ramsauer.
Markus Sieverding, chair of the Air Liquide Germany board, said the challenge had moved on from creating stand-alone filling stations to the creation of a “sensible, viable infrastructure”.
“By building the nationwide network, Germany’s government and industry is jump-starting the development of zero-emissions mobility using hydrogen,” adds Klaus Bonhoff, managing director of NOW, the National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.
For further information:
www.bmvbs.de/EN/
www.daimler.com/
www.airliquide.com/
www.airproducts.com/
www.linde.com/
www.total.de/
Related stories:
UK fuel cell pioneers to benefit from £1 million boost (22-Feb)
UK government launches hydrogen initiative with industry (18-Jan)
US drives hydrogen fuel cell vehicles forward with $7 million investment (14-Dec 2011)
Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5228/
