The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, is taking a significant step forward in fostering a sustainable transportation sector by investing €20 million ($21.85 million) in the development of seven new hydrogen refuelling stations (HRSs) specifically designed for trucks.
North Rhine-Westphalia is also driving the market ramp-up of hydrogen technologies in transport. The aim is to convert heavy commercial vehicles in particular to emission-free hydrogen drives.
The basic requirement for this is a comprehensive network of refueling infrastructure. The state government is therefore now funding the construction of seven new public hydrogen filling stations with a total of 20 million euros.
Economics and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur: “Hydrogen is an important building block for climate-neutral heavy goods traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia: Hydrogen trucks have long ranges and short refueling times. In this way, we ensure the competitiveness of logistics companies and freight forwarders. In order to be able to rely on emission-free drives in heavy freight transport in the future, we have to create the conditions now. To achieve this, the development of the hydrogen infrastructure must be significantly accelerated. With our funding we are creating an important incentive for the expansion of the urgently needed gas station network in North Rhine-Westphalia.”
Of the 16 project applications that were received as part of a funding call last fall, seven project applications have now been approved after intensive review. A total of 20 million euros in funding will go to the following companies:
– Air Products GmbH for hydrogen filling stations in Duisburg and Meckenheim
– E.ON Hydrogen GmbH for a hydrogen filling station in Essen
– H2 MOBILITY Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG for a hydrogen filling station in Bielefeld
– Krimphoff & Schulte GmbH for a hydrogen filling station in Rheine
– Mint Hydrogen Germany GmbH for hydrogen filling stations in Hagen and Lippstadt
When it comes to state funding, attention is paid to a balanced distribution across all administrative districts in order to enable as many interested companies as possible to purchase fuel cell trucks.
There are currently eight hydrogen filling stations for heavy commercial vehicles in North Rhine-Westphalia. With the new funding, the number will almost double. The state’s goal is for around 200 hydrogen filling stations to be available in North Rhine-Westphalia by 2030.
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