Two new H2 stations bring total in Germany to 32
31 July 2017
Germany’s H2 filling station network is growing at an increasing pace. After the opening of stations in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt in June, Daimler, Shell and Linde have now commissioned two more hydrogen stations in Sindelfingen and Pforzheim. This brings the number of fueling options for fuel-cell cars in Baden-Württemberg to nine, making the federal state Germany’s leading H2 region. The openings are another step in the partners’ efforts towards establishing a nationwide H2 supply network.
Germany currently has a total of 32 hydrogen refueling stations in operation, sponsored by the German government via its National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP). Altogether, the German government contributed €1.8 million (US$2.1 million) to the construction of the two new stations. By 2018, the plan is to have 100 filling stations. As many as 400 service stations are planned by 2023 as part of the H2 Mobility Joint Venture.
The Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) demonstration project laid the foundations for the expansion of Germany’s hydrogen infrastructure by establishing common standards and norms.
The two latest hydrogen stations in Baden-Württemberg feature state-of-the-art technology and an intuitive fueling experience for drivers, similar to refueling conventional vehicles. The refueling process takes between three and five minutes to complete. Sindelfingen and Pforzheim each have the capacity to serve 40 hydrogen-powered cars per day from now on.
The new sites are conveniently located on the A8 (Pforzheim) and A81 (Sindelfingen) motorways, at key intersection points for traffic routes in southwestern Germany. The Sindelfingen H2 station is located near the historic Daimler vehicle production plant, which houses the company’s research and development center, whose responsibilities include overseeing the development of the next generation of Mercedes-Benz fuel cell vehicles based on the GLC.
Daimler is the builder of the two hydrogen stations; their H2 filling technology comes from the technology company Linde. Both are located at Shell service stations. All three companies are partners in the H2 Mobility joint venture, which is working to expanding the hydrogen infrastructure in Germany.
Daimler AG will present its latest generation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles based on the Mercedes-Benz GLC later this year.
Other hydrogen stations are currently at the planning stage or under construction in Germany. This year, for example, filling stations in Wendlingen, Karlsruhe, Munich, Bremen and Kassel are to follow.
H2 Mobility just recently called for suggestions for other service station sites: several stations are to be built in regions with the largest potential hydrogen sales by number of fuel-cell cars (700 bar).
100 stations will give a thin but workable coverage, so long as your home or business is convenient to a local one.
Posted by: Davemart | 31 July 2017 at 10:39 AM
A hand to Germany for its plan and support for a good (thin) H2 station network.
With H2 stations available, people will buy more small and large FCEVs.
New more efficient electrolysers will bring H2 price down in the near future.
Posted by: HarveyD | 31 July 2017 at 11:56 AM
A thin networks makes possible plug-in hybrids with limited battery for most daily activity, but fuel cell backup or for distant driving. More options, potentially lower price to relieve range anxiety.
Posted by: JMartin | 31 July 2017 at 12:11 PM
Yes JM, AWD hybrids equipped with small FC as range extender would be a good solution, specially in cold areas with long snowy winters.
Users coud run on batteries or FC depending on local condition.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 August 2017 at 10:44 AM