Trucks with hydrogen in the tank emission free rolling across the road should in future make a contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. The consortium founded in 2021 is convinced of thisH2 mobility“, which 11 companies announced, including OMV, the vehicle developers AVL List and Magna, Post, REWE, Spar and Verbund. Together with the management consultant Deloitte, on Thursday presented a plan, how to run around 2000 with hydrogen by 2030 fuel cell truck could bring to Austria’s roads.

He has to be green

The consortium hopes to to replace conventionally powered trucks and thus make a contribution to decarbonization. Freight traffic is growing, so it is particularly important in this area to implement climate-friendly technologies. In addition, a New industry around hydrogen and it must be ensured that domestic companies are internationally recognised. It is important that it is about “green” hydrogen trades, i.e. it WILL be produced with electricity from renewable energies and not from the conversion of natural gas.

Currently, green hydrogen is only produced in small quantities. In the whole country there is only two handful of hydrogen filling stations. There are fuel cell trucks Only from a few manufacturers. That should change quickly when it comes to H2 Mobility. The companies want to purchase around 65 hydrogen trucks by 2022. parallel should developed their own vehicles be, for example an “Austro H2 Truck”. In addition there was and is in Austria already research projects. More gas stations are of course also in demand.

State should help

For all of these aspects 420 to 460 million euros government support is necessary, among other things, to take on 80 percent of those costs that hydrogen trucks more than diesel trucks cost. By 2025, 500 such trucks should be able to be purchased, 2000 by 2030 (that is less than 1 percent of the current total truck stock of around 511,000 pieces). The state should also intervene price for the hydrogen. The fluctuations in electricity prices also affect hydrogen. If the price moves too much, companies could shy away from fuel cell vehicles. If, on the other hand, hydrogen mobility is helped on its way and companies are offered a central funding point, the area will continue to develop. The state can 475 million euros expect added value in the country.

Already in use in Switzerland

The forwarding company Gebrüder Weiss provides an example of how it can work. She sets in Switzerland already a hydrogen truck one, and 2 more copies are to follow in 2022. The vehicles are reliable, can accurate fast like diesel truck refueled become and have one comparable range. However, the costs for hydrogen are currently three times higher than those for diesel. Government support is therefore crucial.

For climate-conscious companies, hydrogen trucks represent an opportunity. That looks dying too Austrian post So. They will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and has been measuring this since 2009 consequent. While there is an overall decline, mainly due to reductions in the building sector, there was an increase in transport logistics. 2023 the first hydrogen trucks are to be included in the Post fleet.

Production expansion realistic

Alexander Trattner, The director of the Grazer Hydrogen research center HyCentA, says to the future zone that the plan realistic blade. Still to be 2022 some new generation plants go into operation for green hydrogen. These electrolysers, which produce hydrogen from water, have a modular structure, and the production capacity can also be expanded relatively easily.

For heavy trucks on long journeys, hydrogen tanks should be considered as batteries for storing electricity – because Longer range and lower weight, but also through less use of rare resources and easier recycling. Perhaps the biggest advantage, however, is that electricity from renewable sources can be stored more easily, transported over long distances and stored seasonally transmitted can be. This would Disadvantage of conversion losses compared to batteries more than made up for.

Rail not optimal everywhere

When asked whether investments in hydrogen trucks are not an alternative for the Shift to rail could use, says Trattner: “The rail has the lowest driving resistance and is one of the most efficient forms of drive. If we shift freight traffic to rail, that will definitely help us with the mobility transition, but it will not the only solution being. Hydrogen trucks are a concept that offers many advantages, especially for connecting to international markets.”