Hydrogen: Switzerland leading the way again?
REAL OPPORTUNITY The Swiss H2 Mobility Promotion Association could quickly solve the tricky chicken-and-egg problem that has so far paralyzed the launch of hydrogen mobility in this country in a practical way. Hydrogen (H2), obtained from renewable and environmentally friendly energy, represents something like the Egg of Columbus of the energy industry, as it enables the permanent storage of surplus electricity and generates [...]
Hydrogen (H2), obtained from renewable and environmentally friendly energy, represents something like the Egg of Columbus of the energy industry, as it enables the permanent storage of surplus electricity and does not cause any environmental damage when consumed. Fear of this supposedly explosive raw material is unfounded, by the way.
The problem with building a future hydrogen society, especially in terms of mobility, has been the lack of appropriate vehicles on offer. These do not come onto the market because there is no refueling infrastructure.
Distribution throughout Switzerland
Founded in 2018, the H2 Mobility Switzerland promotional association, consisting of 15 heavyweights in the transport, mobility and filling station operator industry, is committed to the nationwide spread of zero-emission, H2-based electric propulsion.Together, the members represent a network of over 2000 filling stations and a fleet of over 4000 commercial vehicles.
They thus have the potential to build up the local H2 infrastructure on a private-sector basis and thus to put the world's largest fleet of H2 commercial vehicles into operation. By 2023, 1600 H2E vehicles of the type Hyundai Fuel Cell Electric Truck are to roll on Swiss roads in an environmentally neutral manner. Switzerland would then be a pioneer throughout Europe.
Refueling in a few minutes
The pioneer in H2-based heavy transport was Coop Mineraloel AG, which is represented in the sponsoring association, and which commissioned the first public H2 filling station for its trucks in Hunzenschwil (AG) at the end of 2016.
Jörg Ackermann, president of the sponsoring association, describes the advantages: "Refueling in a few minutes and still driving electrically, only water vapor as emissions, comparable range and identical performance as a diesel truck."
In addition to building a national network of refueling stations, association members commit to using only H2 from fully renewable, local sources.
Use by private motorists
However, not only the members' H2ETrucks are to benefit from the nationwide H2 infrastructure, but it will also be available to the vehicles of private motorists.
This development could shake up the small market for H2E passenger cars (Hyun dai ix35 and Nexo, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Toyota Mirai). In this way, a huge step towards a hydrogen society becomes possible.
