BMW, Hyundai, Stellantis, Toyota urge EC to support expansion of 700 bar hydrogen refuelling network.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, the auto makers requested support for the continued expansion of 700 bar hydrogen refuelling network.
This is the letter:
Dear Executive Vice President Timmermans,
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Recent developments confirm that hydrogen will play an important role in the decarbonisation of transport, notably in road transport, and contribute to many countries’ economic recovery. Studies –by the Hydrogen Council and others – demonstrate hydrogen’s enormous potential. Analyses also show that hydrogen in road transport has significant customer advantages because of eg fast refuelling for high utilisation / long distance and large-volume vehicle applications, including light and heavy duty vehicles. Unleashing this potential will require scaling up hydrogen production, distribution and utilisation. This in turn will bring down costs – the key for economic viability.
Hydrogen will also play an increasingly important role to store and distribute renewable energy (to offset its fluctuating availability). Unlike electricity, hydrogen can be transported and stored in large quantities over long time periods. With these capabilities hydrogen can facilitate an accelerated uptake of renewable energies into the overall energy system.
The undersigned OEMs, strongly view promotion of fuel cell electric vehicles as complementary to battery electric vehicles. For short to medium-range and light- to medium weights, battery electric vehicles are most efficient. For higher range, high frequency and higher gross vehicle weights, fuel cell electric vehicles become increasingly advantageous (e.g. large passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles / vans, heavy duty trucks).
OEMs can create major scale effects for hydrogen components in the passenger car and light commercial vehicle market due to the market volume. Fuel Cell buses, trucks and other applications will in turn massively benefit from synergies with these applications: The same fuel cell system that powers a passenger car can be utilized in light commercial vehicles and other applications. By multiplying the system, use in fuel cell buses, trucks and other applications are also possible. These synergies are much easier to achieve than for combustion engine drivetrains.
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The undersigned OEMs are dedicated to further develop the fuel cell passenger car and light commercial vehicle market. This in turn, will require an expansion of the established (and proven) 700 bar refuelling network. The combined roll-out of a common hydrogen infrastructure offering both refuelling options for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, as well as heavy-duty trucks, can create enormous synergies.
For all these reasons, the undersigned OEMs, request your continued commitment to expand the existing 700 bar public hydrogen stations network across Europe.
Thank you in advance for your continued support, the undersigned OEMs remain at your disposal for any additional information you might require.
The letter was signed by
- Oliver Zipse – Chairman of the Board of Management BMW Group
- Albert Biermann – President and Head of R&D Hyundai Motor
- Carlos Tavares – CEO Stellantis
- Matt Harrison – President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe
