Fuel cell vehicles have so far been a niche product, but the advantages of this technology are clear: no pollutant emissions, zero CO2 emissions while driving and low values in production, long ranges and short refuelling times. Furthermore from a long-term perspective, putting the infrastructure in place can be cheaper than other alternative drives. Particularly for routes which cannot be electrified, hydrogen is a beneficial option, for example in heavy goods vehicle traffic or rail transport.

This is the conclusion reached by a study commissioned by the Deutschen Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches (German association for gas and water – DVGW), conducted by the Center of Automotive Management: ‘Hydrogen mobility: State of play, trends and perspectives’. Good market opportunities for hydrogen mobility can be extrapolated from the research results. Data from almost 200 literature sources underlie the study.

Across the EU as well as in Germany, hydrogen mobility is increasing in momentum. The number of refuelling stations in Germany has now risen by a third to 83 over the past two years. By 2021, this number will rise to 140. In future the gas distribution network can transport hydrogen and supply these refuelling stations. For the manufacture of green hydrogen as a fuel for fuel cell vehicles however, power-to-gas capacities must be rapidly established.

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