Car manufacturers demonstrate the potential of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in Copenhagen

(02/12/2009)

Hydrogen and fuel cell technology supplements batteries in electric vehicles and therefore provides the same convenience as gasoline and diesel with regards to fast refuelling and a long driving range. Many companies worldwide are investing in this technology aiming for a market introduction by 2015.

A Parade of 14 vehicles featuring the latest innovations in fuel cell and hydrogen technology from the world’s main manufacturers has crossed the bridge between Malmö, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark, to demonstrate the potential of these zero-emission vehicles.

The Parade started at the hydrogen refuelling station in central Malmö and, after stopping at the recently-inaugurated Copenhagen refuelling station, finished at the Danish Parliament building. There, an Industry Update meeting was held where key players in the industry updated stakeholders on their work towards commercialisation of hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure. Panellists included leaders of the automotive industry, Europe's major fuel and technology companies and representatives from significant hydrogen projects in Europe.

The following hydrogen cars featured in the Parade:
• Fiat Panda Fuel Cells and H2/CNG Mixture
• Honda FCX Clarity
• Mercedes Benz B-Class F-Cell and A-Class
• Opel HydroGen 4
• TH!NK Hydrogen

During the COP15, the UN Climate Change Convention commencing on 7 December, these vehicles will be used to shuttle delegates around Copenhagen. The organisers are offering test-drives to interested participants and observers.

Aksel Mortensgaard, director of the Danish Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells commented: “The world’s energy security problem is critical for the transportation sector but the industry is working with very clear targets which perfectly complement the ones to be developed in Copenhagen. Clear support from COP15 delegates will boost this technology to a level which allows viable commercialisation.” Mr. Mortensgaard added: “Just imagine: only clear drops of water coming out of your exhaust pipe and a fuel that can be produced from renewable energy!”

The message from the industry players at the Danish Parliament meeting was clear: the use of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies offer significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and will play a major role in the transformation of the world’s energy and transport infrastructure based on fossil fuel to an electricity-based system.

Related categories:  Fiat   Green cars and environment   Honda   Mercedes-Benz   Opel