Germany awards €23.5mn to hydrogen mobility projects

Germany’s BMVI (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure) believes hydrogen is potentially a key resource to tackle climate change and has awarded €23.5mn to six hydrogen mobility projects.

‘Hydrogen, fuel cells and electricity move the future. We have seen many studies and pilot projects in recent years. We really need them on the road now – because today we have to convince citizens that the technology works and is a real milestone towards tomorrow’s carbon-neutral mobility,’ says Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

The projects to receive funding are:

• GHT Mobility (CleverShuttle) – for the procurement of 50 fuel cell vehicles to develop an innovative mobility offering based on IT-optimised ride pooling.
• Deutsche Post DHL Group – for the procurement of 500 fuel cell vehicles (street scooters) for use in the company’s parcel delivery service.
• MAN & Shell with Anleg and TU Braunschweig – for the development and testing of a fuel cell system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles as well as a mobile and self-sufficient refueling device.
• FAUN Environmental Technology – for the development of hydrogen fuel cell fuel garbage collection trucks and sweepers.
• EvoBus – for the development of a battery electric city bus with fuel cell range extender.
• Günsel Fördertechnik and Fahrzeugbau – for the procurement of 89 hydrogen-powered industrial trucks for intralogistic use at the BMW Leipzig plant.

The federal government is also supporting plans for 100 hydrogen stations in Germany by 2020. There are currently 75 stations in operation, with a further six completed, three in approval and 15 in planning.