The Grauholz motorway service station outside Bern was the scene of the opening ceremony of SOCAR’s first hydrogen filling station. This means that there are now a total of 15 hydrogen filling stations in operation in Switzerland, but what makes this one special is that it is located directly on the motorway. This is another milestone for hydrogen mobility in Switzerland.
More than 100 guests present at the official event representing various companies, the media and government agencies showed great interest in the proceedings. The guests of honour included Christoph Neuhaus, member of the Executive Council of the Canton of Bern and Head of the Bern Construction and Transport Directorate (BVD), Jürg Röthlisberger, Director of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), Fuad Isgandarov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, SOCAR’s home country and Edgar Bachmann, CEO of SOCAR.
Everyone present at the ceremony heard a common theme running through the speeches: in addition to praise for SOCAR’s major commitment to environmentally friendly solutions, the speakers were generous in the thanks they expressed to the authorities, without whose support this challenging project could not have been completed. And particularly Executive Council member as well as Christoph Neuhaus and Astra Director Jürg Röthlisberger emphasised that for them hydrogen mobility will be part of the solution for phasing out fossil fuels.
After the hydrogen facilities were officially declared open, the guests were able to witness at close hand a Toyota Miray car and a Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck filling their tanks at the new fuel pump.
The recent Switzerland media reports about Hyundai and its partners might discontinue its initiatives for hydrogen ecosystem are totally groundless.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility will further execute and develop its business case of heavy duty fuel cell transportation with the existing network of partners in Switzerland.
Hyundai firmly believes that fuel cell mobility will play an essential role in decarbonizing the mobility sector, in which the trucks have already covered more than 5 million kilometers.
Further explanation
As incorrectly stated in some media, neither Hyundai nor any partner involved in the hydrogen ecosystem in Switzerland intend to stop the existing initiative.
The private-sector, non-subsidised case has been operating successfully for two years. In the meantime, the hydrogen trucks have covered more than 5 million kilometres in customer operation.
The unpredictable disruption in the energy market affects the availability and costs of electricity from sustainable energy sources. This includes the production costs of green hydrogen in the short and medium term. Nevertheless, all the players in the Swiss hydrogen ecosystem are fully committed to their goals to further expand and develop solutions to adapt the overall system to the new situation.
This means for all involved parties:
- Hydrogen production capacities will be further expanded. A new production plant will start operations in Eastern Switzerland before the end of the year.
- In Switzerland, eleven publicly accessible filling stations currently offer green hydrogen, and three more locations are about to start operations.
- Hyundai remains committed to the rollout in Switzerland and continues to offer hydrogen trucks to its customers. The expansion in other European countries continues as planned.
All partners and stakeholders in this hydrogen ecosystem firmly believe that hydrogen and fuel cell mobility are part of the solution to stop climate change, enable the energy transition and achieve the goals of “Net Zero”.
CONTACT FOR QUERIES
Media Office
The media office will be happy to answer questions and provide further information:
Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH
Florian Büngener
PR & Communications
Head of Department
T +49 69 271 472 – 465
M +49 151 1950 2783
Further information about HHM can also be found on: www.hyundai-hm.com
While the world of mobility is preparing for a new era – with a focus on electric propulsion – a globally unique realization of an initiative that relies on a cross-sector hydrogen eco-cycle has been underway in Switzerland for 2 years. The goal: the decarbonization of heavy transport. The 5 million kilometers driven so far, with more than 4’000 tons of CO2 emissions saved, show how successful this ecosystem is on the road. 20 operators of fuel cell electric trucks – all Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell – celebrated this 5 millionth kilometer today. Politicians as well as numerous personalities and people interested in this Swiss hydrogen mobility system met in Olten.
Bell Food, von Bergen, Camion Transport, Coop, Chr. Cavegn, Denner, Emmi, Galliker, G. Leclerc, Havi, McDonald’s, Mewa, Migros, Murpf, Nestlé, Swiss Post, Rivella/Schöni, Schwab-Guillod, SPAR, VOLG and Gebrüder Weiss: the list of brands and companies operating at least one heavy-duty hydrogen-electric commercial vehicle (36-ton trailer trucks) in Switzerland reads like a who’s who of the Swiss retail and logistics industry.
They all met in Olten on October 15 to drive the 5 millionth kilometer together – nota bene with zero emissions. Behind this globally unique achievement are Swiss pioneers who are on the road with a common goal: Contributing to the decarbonization of road transport.
Politicians – among them two members of the Co-Presidency of the Parliamentary Group Hydrogen, Maja Riniker (NC/AG) and Albert Rösti (NC/BE) – met in Olten with the partners and companies of this H2 ecosystem and accompanied the trucks together over this 5 millionth kilometer.
Jörg Ackermann, President of the Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland, says of this pioneering achievement: “Over the past two years and more, we have been on the road with numerous partners and visionaries at the pace of a start-up to prepare this project and also to put it into practice. The 5 million kilometers already driven show that it works. We see this milestone in the history of mobility as the perfect moment and motivation to continue developing the H2 ecosystem. However, the ‘interim result’ also shows Switzerland’s unique starting position. This requires a dissolution of boundaries between industries and individual companies. They have understood that such a mobility system can only be built in a network. Our credo is: ‘It’s happening because we are doing it! All the more reason for me to admire all those involved for their courage and commitment in going down this path.”
The next generation of trucks is ready
The heavy H2 trucks that provided this milestone in mobility were the current models of the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell, the first series-produced heavy commercial vehicle with fuel cell electric drive. However, visitors to the H2 Trucker Meeting in Olten were also able to examine the next generation with a 4×2 and 6×2 truck.
Beat Hirschi, CEO of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG: “Today, 47 heavy trailer trucks together drive more than 10’000 km per day. This is only possible because all the players in this hydrogen ecosystem are standing together with the intention of emitting only water instead of CO2 . For this, I can only thank and pay a big compliment to each and every company and person working on this clean cycle.”
Unique hydrogen ecosystem worldwide – a Swiss pioneering achievement
Behind the five million kilometers and more than 4’000 tons of CO2 emissions saved is an innovative ecosystem that has been built up privately in Switzerland in recent years: by H2 Energy as the system innovator, by Hydrospider AG as the producer and distributor of green hydrogen, by Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG as the importer and operator of the hydrogen trucks, and by the Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland. The latter unites 21 well-known Swiss companies, which together with Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility and Hydrospider solved and are solving the chicken-and-egg problem, with today eleven public hydrogen filling stations in Switzerland (AVIA, Coop Pronto, AGROLA and Schwab-Guillod) and 14 leading companies from retail, logistics and transport.
Green hydrogen – a key element of the energy transition
The basis for low-emission electromobility with fuel cell vehicles is green hydrogen, as currently produced in Switzerland by Hydrospider AG at the run-of-river power plant in Niedergösgen. Hydrogen production began at the same time as the first hydrogen electric trucks went into service two years ago. Hydrospider transports the hydrogen by means of high-pressure containers to the current eleven hydrogen filling stations in Switzerland.
Nicolas Crettenand, CEO of Hydrospider AG: “Green hydrogen will play an indispensable role in the energy transition and decarbonization. Hydrogen can replace the fossil fuels that are mainly used today, especially in the area of heavy-duty transport. We are very pleased with these 5 million kilometers, but at the same time they have challenged us. The hydrogen electric trucks drive so much and so reliably that we have to expand production as quickly as possible and thus create the conditions for further growth on the production side.”
The second production facility in Switzerland will be commissioned by SAK (St. Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke) and Osterwalder St. Gallen (AVIA) before the end of the year. With this plant, an important goal of the eco-cycle is increasingly coming to fruition: the establishment of decentralized production of green hydrogen. This will further reduce the transport distances between production and hydrogen filling stations.
Patrick Huber, VRP of H2 Energy Holding AG: “The Swiss hydrogen ecosystem and this joint achievement of all players is attracting worldwide attention. The concordance achieved with the companies in the H2 Mobility Switzerland support association is unique and a typical Swiss success story. In the European and global context, this model is considered proof that the hydrogen cycle can be implemented in practice. This has an influence that should not be underestimated on the immense investments that are currently being made in Europe and worldwide for the production of green hydrogen and the development of H2 ecosystems. It will now be central to create the right framework conditions to be able to further scale this successful start and to demonstrate that hydrogen technology will make its contribution to the implementation of the energy transition.”
- Seven German companies in logistics, manufacturing and retail to put 27 XCIENT
- Fuel Cell heavy-duty trucks into fleet service with government-backed funding
- The funding program promotes the use of sustainable drive systems, the development of refueling/charging infrastructure and related feasibility studies
- Hyundai Motor to leverage this opportunity to further expand its business into the wider European commercial vehicle market, following its successful entry into Germany
- Hyundai Motor has already deployed 47 units of XCIENT Fuel Cell in Switzerland where they have accumulated over 4 million kilometers in driving
Zurich, 03.08.2022 – Hyundai Motor Company announced today the export of its XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty trucks to Germany, the biggest commercial vehicle market in Europe.
Seven German companies in logistics, manufacturing and retail will put 27 XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks into fleet service with funding for eco-friendly commercial vehicles from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).
“We are glad to now also officially enter the German commercial vehicle market with our heavy-duty fuel cell electric truck, the XCIENT Fuel Cell. Hyundai Motor, which is recognized as the leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology, will leverage this opportunity to expand our business into the wider European market by successfully supporting Germany’s efforts to achieve its carbon neutral goals,” said Mark Freymueller, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation of Hyundai Motor Company.
In August 2021, BMDV rolled out its funding guidelines for commercial vehicles with alternative drive systems upon approval by the European Commission. The funding is available for battery, fuel cell and (overhead line) hybrid electric vehicles, corresponding to refueling/charging infrastructure and related feasibility studies. BMDV will have a budget of 1.6 billion euros available until 2024 to purchase eco-friendly commercial vehicles.
The aforementioned seven German companies initially applied for the funding with Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cells and successfully received approval from BMDV, again proving XCIENT Fuel Cell’s product competitiveness.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Company and Swiss company H2 Energy, has also established Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Germany GmbH (HHMG) to actively expand its entry into the hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle market in Germany. In order to establish a hydrogen ecosystem in the country, HHMG will operate local market sales and customer service as well as upfitter management in the market. HHMG also plans to actively participate in the second funding program.
XCIENT Fuel Cell Specifications
The XCIENT Fuel Cell to be delivered is equipped with a 180-kW hydrogen fuel cell system with two 90-kW fuel cell stacks. The system’s durability and the vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency are tailored to the demands of commercial fleet customers. The 350-kW e-motor with maximum torque of 2,237 Nm enables dynamic driving performance.
XCIENT Fuel Cell’s seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 31 kg of fuel, while a 72-kWh-powered set of three batteries provides an additional source of power. The maximum driving range is 400 km per charge. Refueling a full tank of hydrogen takes about 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature.
Launched in 2020 by Hyundai Motor, XCIENT Fuel Cell is the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen electric heavy-duty truck. The company has already deployed 47 units in Switzerland where they have accumulated more than four million kilometers in driving. The trucks are servicing 23 different customers in Switzerland.
* * *
About Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Germany GmbH
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Germany GmbH (HHMG), based near Munich, was founded in 2022 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG. HHMG is responsible for the distribution of Hyundai’s heavy-duty fuel cell commercial vehicles in Germany and also forms the link to the EU economic area.
A globally unique H2 ecosystem is currently being created in Switzerland that uses green hydrogen in electromobility. While this environmentally friendly cycle is being developed and expanded further, H2 Energy and AVIA Osterwalder St. Gallen AG will start test operations of the next application starting in October 2021: a mobile, hydrogen-powered fast charger for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with the potential for further applications. The great advantage: kvyreen – that is what it is called – is mobile and solves the problem of local and temporary network loads. It does this without CO2, using green hydrogen from renewable sources of energy. ABB, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) are involved as project partners.
St. Gallen, 16.09.2021 – The name says it all: kvyreen ((pronounced: quirin)) refers to the Roman god of technical arts. In the case of kvyreen, it involves environmentally friendly, renewable sources of energy that can be used for a wide range of mobile electric applications. Technically speaking, it is a powerful generator that runs on green hydrogen. The first cutting-edge application allows for the fast charging of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The fact that kvyreen, developed by Swiss hydrogen pioneer H2 Energy, is being tested in St. Gallen is no coincidence.
A globally unique hydrogen ecosystem was rolled out at the AVIA Osterwalder AG filling station in July 2020 – an H2cycle that enables mobility with renewable energy and without CO2 emissions. While this clean energy cycle is being consistently expanded in Switzerland and already saves around 10 metric tons of CO2 emissions per day, H2 Energy and AVIA Osterwalder St. Gallen AG are launching the next application with kvyreen.
The kvyreen prototype will be available at Oberstrasse 141 in St. Gallen from October 2021. It is the first application to enable the rapid charging of battery electric cars, initially with a charging power of up to 60 kW. The test phase is backed by the project partner Empa with a study that examines the potential for combining green hydrogen and cyclical solar energy for clean electromobility. In subsequent commercial applications, rapid charging with kvyreen will allow for a charging power of up to 150 kW per vehicle, which will provide battery electric cars with a 100 km range in eight to ten minutes. Developments for further applications of the system are under way in parallel to the test phase.
Thomas Walter, Project Manager and Member of the Executive Board of H2 Energy: “Beginning in October, customers will find the filling station of the future at Oberstrasse 141 in St. Gallen. While hydrogen refuelling is already commonplace, battery electric vehicles can now also be charged here from guaranteed renewable energy. We are responding to the rapidly increasing and highly volatile demand for fast-charging stations, as well as to the temporary and local additional loads they create for the power grid.”
Testing the first kvyreen
kvyreen is a closed cube in which all the technology is integrated. A fuel cell (automotive grade, from Toyota), an inverter and a charging station (both from project partner ABB) will provide the green hydrogen for the rapid charging of battery electric vehicles.
The key advantages of kvyreen:
- Network stability: despite high charging power, the local power grid is not strained and power bottlenecks are avoided – regardless of the time of day or season.
- 100% renewable energy: drivers of battery electric vehicles can rely 100% on the fact that they are travelling on renewable energy.
- Mobile solution: The location-independent solution means that kvyreen can always be used in places where the construction of a grid-powered fast-charging infrastructure is not or not yet feasible, whether for logistical or economic reasons. As a result, charging capacity can always be supplied in line with demand.
- Rapidly available technology to support climate targets as defined by the Energy Strategy 2050.
In this respect, the use of kvyreen is not only focused on battery electric road vehicles, but also on other applications such as battery-electric construction machinery.
Martin Osterwalder, Co-CEO of AVIA Osterwalder AG: “Depending on the location, kvyreen is supplied with green hydrogen on a mobile basis or via the storage infrastructure of the hydrogen filling station. Since it is a mobile cube, it can be set up at other filling stations with little effort. This allows us to offer off-grid rapid charging exactly where it is needed, for example at mountain stations in winter, at the portals of the Gotthard tunnel in summer, at major festivals, at trade fairs, etc. AVIA is thus taking the next step into the future as a supplier of energy services in the fuel and electricity sector.”
Clean energy system across sectors
The key advantage of this solution is the storage capacity of green hydrogen. It can be produced with renewable sources of energy (wind, hydro, solar power plants) whenever there is a surplus of them and they are not needed in the power grid. kvyreen thus enables the use of cyclically occurring energies – primarily in the mobility sector.
Developments for other possible areas of application are under way alongside the test phase, which will last for around one year, of the first kvyreen. The system is also suitable for additional, independent energy supply in the building sector, for the replacement of diesel generators, for operation on or of ships, for the use of construction-site and supply vehicles, etc.
“Made in Switzerland” expertise and know-how
kvyreen is a prime example of cross-sector integration by combining the needs and resources of the energy industry with the requirements of clean, emission-free mobility.
The driving force behind kvyreen is the innovative Swiss company H2 Energy, which is currently also establishing and expanding the hydrogen ecosystem in Switzerland and in various countries. H2 Energy is responsible for the concept, design, control, construction and project management of kvyreen.
AVIA Osterwalder St. Gallen AG is further expanding its expertise as a supplier of clean energy with the first kvyreen.
AVIA is involved in this project as an association of independent Swiss importers and suppliers of energy products, structured as a cooperative. The AVIA partners are actively driving the transformation from a petroleum company to a global service provider for renewable forms of energy, with regard to filling stations as well as energy supply for industry and households.
ABB Switzerland supplies the charging technology and, with this commitment, expands the know-how at the interface of hydrogen and battery electromobility.
Empa Dübendorf backs up the kvyreen test phase with a scientific study.
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) supports the research and development phase of kvyreen with a focus on the cross-sectoral generation, distribution and use of renewable sources of energy and their use in mobility.
Great honour for H2 Energy, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, Hydrospider and the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association: The hydrogen ecosystem for emission-free mobility launched by these partners receives the Watt d’Or 2021, the prestigious Swiss energy prize awarded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, in the “Energy-efficient Mobility” category.
Hydrospider, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility and the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, at the initiative of hydrogen pioneer H2 Energy, are currently establishing a hydrogen ecosystem for emission-free mobility that is unique in Europe. By 2025, some 1,600 fuel-cell electric heavy-duty trucks by Hyundai will be on Switzerland’s roads. With its emission-free hydrogen cycle, the private business initiative is making a major contribution to the decarbonisation of heavy goods transport. This is because the green hydrogen used in the cycle is produced exclusively using power from renewable energies (hydro, solar and wind power) – making it climate-friendly and practically emission-free. The greenhouse gas emissions caused by heavy goods transport will be dramatically reduced: A fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck travelling around 80,000 km a year achieves an annual saving of 70 to 75 metric tons of CO2.
Watt d’Or: a golden reward and great incentive to tackle the next phase
“The Watt d’Or is a great honour for us. The snow globe will receive a special place in our company,” says Rolf Huber, a partner in H2 Energy Holding and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hydrospider and Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility. “This award from the Federal Office of Energy is the golden reward for the courage, persistence and commitment displayed by all involved in this pioneering project. Numerous key enterprises from a variety of sectors are working hand in hand in this partnership. Our aim is to make a contribution to the decarbonisation of transport, especially heavy goods transport, on the basis of green hydrogen. The Watt d’Or proves that we are on the right path and gives us a great incentive to tackle the next phase.”
2020: a year of milestones
Based on a private initiative, the business model was launched in 2018 and really gained momentum in 2020. At the beginning of October 2020, Hyundai’s first Xcient Fuel Cell Trucks were handed over to customers at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne and have since been demonstrating their practicality in daily use. Hydrospider supplies the fuel. Hydrospider’s first production facility with a capacity of 2 MW was commissioned at Alpiq’s hydropower plant in Gösgen in the spring of 2020.
Members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association will use the trucks in day-to-day logistics operations and ensure the establishment of a national refuelling infrastructure. Avia Osterwalder opened its new hydrogen filling station in St. Gallen at the beginning of July 2020, joining the existing Coop filling station in Hunzenschwil. The Agrola hydrogen filling station in Zofingen then followed in the middle of October. A further five fuelling stations are currently in the planning phase with some having almost reached the commissioning stage.
The partners in the cross-sector hydrogen ecosystem
H2 Energy Holding AG, is a business innovator for renewable energies.
H2 Energy comprises experienced entrepreneurs and renowned technology experts. H2 Energy was founded in August 2014 with the goal of stopping climate change and making hydrogen from renewable energy a cornerstone of the energy system. At the beginning of December 2020, Trafigura, a globally leading commodity trader, invested in H2 Energy.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG, a joint venture between Hyundai and H2 Energy.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG is based in Switzerland. It is a partnership between Hyundai Motor Company, Korea and H2 Energy, the Swiss hydrogen pioneer. Its goal is to create a sustainable and environmentally-friendly future by providing emission-free commercial vehicles under a pay-per-use model.
Hydrospider AG, a joint venture between Alpiq, H2 Energy and Linde/PanGas.
Hydrospider safeguards production, procurement and logistics for green hydrogen from CO2-free production. Hydrospider was created in early 2019 from a partnership between the Swiss hydrogen pioneer H2 Energy and Alpiq, a leading Swiss electricity producer and energy service provider. The two companies each hold 45% of the shares in Hydrospider AG. The other 10% are held by the Linde Group of Germany. Linde is one of the world’s leading industrial gas and engineering companies and is active in more than 100 countries. In Switzerland, it operates under the name PanGas.
H2 Mobility Switzerland Association.
The H2 Mobility Switzerland Association has set itself the goal of establishing a nationwide network of hydrogen filling stations in Switzerland. In May 2018, Agrola AG, AVIA Vereinigung, Coop, Coop Mineraloel AG, fenaco Genossenschaft, Migrol AG and Migros-Genossenschaftsbund founded the association as a joint platform specifically in order to promote and accelerate the establishment of hydrogen mobility in Switzerland. In addition to the founding members, the following members also belong to the association: Camion Transport AG, Chr. Cavegn AG, Emil Frey Group, Emmi Schweiz AG, F. Murpf AG, Galliker AG, Gebrüder Weiss AG, G. Leclerc Transport AG, Schöni Transport AG, Shell New Fuels, Socar Energy Switzerland, Streck Transport AG, Tamoil SA, Von Bergen SA.
Further information on the Watt d’Or 2021:
A great day for Lucerne, for Switzerland, for the world and for mobility! Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Ltd is delivering the very first volume-production hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles (36 t) to seven Swiss companies. Coop, Migros, Fenaco, Galliker Logistics, Camion Transport AG, F. Murpf AG and G. Leclerc Transport AG – all members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association – are the first companies worldwide to include Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in their vehicle fleets. At the same time, AVIA, Agrola and Coop pronto, which are also members of the sponsoring association, will open additional hydrogen filling stations in the coming months in order to supply the new commercial vehicles with CO2-free, green hydrogen.
Lucerne, 7 October 2020 – Electromobility with green hydrogen is no longer some far-off fantasy – it has become a reality. Today in Lucerne, Coop, Migros, Fenaco, Galliker Logistics, Camion Transport AG, F. Murpf AG and G. Leclerc Transport AG were provided with the keys to their first Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks.
By taking delivery of the first volume-production Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen trucks, Switzerland’s private sector is launching a clean new mobility system that will sustainably reduce CO2 emissions, soot particles and nitrogen oxides on the road, both from heavy goods vehicles and from passenger cars.
Jörg Ackermann, President of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association: “Today marks the genesis of the de-carbonisation of heavy goods traffic in Switzerland. With the deployment of the first XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, the Hyundai Motor Company and the Swiss private sector are closing a mobility loop that operates as an integrated hydrogen ecosystem, making the members and partners of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association the first to solve the chicken-and-egg dilemma of hydrogen mobility on a country level for the first time worldwide. This would not be possible without the determination with which Hyundai is driving the development of this technology. The unifying element of this loop is the renewable energy revolution, accompanied by the firm belief that it cannot be implemented without green hydrogen.”
The 36-tonne trailer trucks will be fuelled with green hydrogen produced in Switzerland from renewable energy sources without CO2 emissions. In the fuel cell, a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen from the ambient air generates electric current that drives the 350 kW electric motor. The exhaust pipe only gives off water vapour. The refuelling time, range, scope of use and operating costs can be compared to today’s diesel trucks, with the difference that fuel cell commercial vehicles are electric and therefore silent. In this way, some 80 tonnes of CO2 emissions can be saved per year and commercial vehicle.
The system is being scaled up incrementally. A total of 50 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen-powered electric vehicles (36 t trailer trucks) are arriving in Switzerland this year. At the same time, the members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association are establishing a hydrogen filling station network. The H2 filling stations already open in Hunzenschwil (AG) and St. Gallen (SG) will be followed this year by locations in Zofingen (AG), Rümlang (ZH), Lausanne (VD) and Bern (BE). Stations in Rothenburg (LU) and Geuensee (LU) will begin operating in early 2021. These filling stations will offer green hydrogen (H2 ZERO) for commercial vehicles (350 bar) and passenger cars (700 bar).
Further expansion will take place from 2021 to 2023 with a total of 1,000 hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles and a comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations. At the same time, the number of passenger cars with environmentally friendly hydrogen-electric drive systems is also expected to increase.
The new Swiss H2 electromobility system at a glance
Hydrospider, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and H2 ENERGY Ltd are currently building this carbon-free e-mobility system in the alpine nation. This is based on a business ecosystem that unites various players in the energy and mobility sector in a joint, private-sector system. Each element of this cycle, from the energy source and production to the use in the electric vehicle, is completely free of CO2 emissions.
The closed cycle begins with the production of green hydrogen by Hydrospider AG. The production takes place at a new facility at Alpiq’s Gösgen hydroelectric power plant in the canton of Solothurn. The hydrogen uses electricity from renewable sources in Switzerland only (water, solar, wind), making it carbon free and environmentally friendly. This is completely green hydrogen produced to the SAE standard J2719.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG plans to import up to 1’600 hydrogen-electric trucks by 2025. The hydrogen supply and the structure of the commercial vehicles, infrastructure, and filling station network are ready for the first 50 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks. The 36 t trailer trucks are expected to be on Swiss roads before the end of 2020. These will be made available on a pay-per-use basis to transport and logistics companies distributing goods within Switzerland.
The members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association are using the vehicles to build the nationwide refuelling infrastructure with 350 bar and 700 bar for commercial vehicles and cars respectively. The network of filling stations will be expanded over the coming years to supply the growing number of trucks with green hydrogen. Hydrogen filling stations are due to open in St. Gallen, Rümlang, Hunzenschwil, Zofingen, Berne-Bethlehem and Crissier by the end of 2020. At various filling stations, the green hydrogen is also being offered under the designation H2 ZERO.
As the business innovator, H2 ENERGY Ltd operates the central platform for implementing the mobility system (skills centre for technology and business).
Hydrogen mobility can benefit both consumers and the environment. Hydrogen can be produced locally to ensure energy independence. It offers carbon-free mobility, with only water vapour coming out of the exhaust. Electric drives are also quiet and efficient, while hydrogen vehicles are just as quick to refuel as conventional ones.
Hydrogen-electric mobility can also play a major role in the general energy system, as electricity providers can feed excess energy from renewable sources like wind, solar and water to the mobility sector, enabling extensive vehicle range.
Hydrogen also has the advantage that it can be stored. Power-to-gas technology is key for integrating electricity from renewable sources such as hydropower, photovoltaics or wind into the energy system, including use in the mobility sector.
Information on the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and its members is available at www.h2mobilitaet.ch.
- World’s first AVIA hydrogen filling station opens in St. Gallen
- Six hydrogen filling stations to cover the route between Lake Constance and Lake Geneva by the end of 2020
- Mass production of green hydrogen made in Switzerland using 100% renewable energy
- First 50 hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles to be on the road in Switzerland by the end of 2020
- Globally unique eco-mobility system is the result of a collaboration between 21 leading Swiss companies from the transport, logistics and filling station industries, together with the country’s energy sector, leading representatives of the Swiss energy industry, a vehicle manufacturer with global operations and specialised companies in the hydrogen industry.
Today is a great day for hydrogen-electric mobility in Switzerland. Bertrand Piccard launched an ecological revolution on the roads by opening of the world’s first AVIA hydrogen filling station in St. Gallen.
Bertrand Piccard: “Switzerland’s private sector has created something that is truly unique. Many believed that the hydrogen industry would always remain a utopian vision of the future, but Switzerland is proving that electrically powered commercial vehicles and passenger cars can be refuelled with clean hydrogen and driven without CO2 emissions. In addition to the development of an economically viable sector, this also represents a huge step forward for the environment – with advantages for customers that are quite persuasive. Refuelling takes just a few minutes, the drive system is 100% electric, and the performance and range are great. And instead of harmful exhaust fumes coming out the exhaust pipe, only pure water vapour is emitted. This important moment for the environment was made a reality through the combined expertise of many pioneers who didn’t just talk about possible solutions, but got things done.”
After a pilot period of several years, members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and their partners are ramping up the new e-mobility system in the country. This allows for electrically driven cars and commercial vehicles, powered by green hydrogen, with zero CO2 emissions.
This year will see the first 50 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles, with a total towing weight of 36 t, hit the roads in Switzerland.
With the opening of the world’s first AVIA hydrogen filling station in St. Gallen, Switzerland’s second public filling station is going into operation, following Coop in Hunzenschwil (in operation since 2016). The first six hydrogen filling stations will also be operational on the route between Lake Constance and Lake Geneva by the end of the year, with stations in St. Gallen, Rümlang, Hunzenschwil, Zofingen, Berne and Crissier. They will offer green hydrogen for commercial vehicles (350 bar) and cars (700 bar). As the first filling station to do so, Osterwalder St. Gallen AG is offering green hydrogen with the designation H2 ZERO.
The scheme will be scaled up from 2021 to 2025 to include a total of 1’600 hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles and a widespread network of hydrogen filling stations (until 2023). Alongside this, the number of cars powered by an environmentally friendly hydrogen drive will also increase significantly.
Overview of the new Swiss e-mobility system
Hydrospider, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and H2 ENERGY Ltd are currently building this carbon-free e-mobility system in the alpine nation. This is based on a business ecosystem that unites various players in the energy and mobility sector in a joint, private-sector system. Each element of this cycle, from the energy source and production to the use in the electric vehicle, is completely free of CO2 emissions.
The closed cycle begins with the production of green hydrogen by Hydrospider AG. The production takes place at a new facility at Alpiq’s Gösgen hydroelectric power plant in the canton of Solothurn. The hydrogen uses electricity from renewable sources in Switzerland only (water, solar, wind), making it carbon free and environmentally friendly. This is completely green hydrogen produced to the SAE standard J2719.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG plans to import up to 1’600 hydrogen-electric trucks by 2025. The first 10 volume-production trucks are on their way to Europe. The hydrogen supply and the structure of the commercial vehicles, infrastructure, and filling station network are ready for the first 50 Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks. The 36 t trailer trucks are expected to be on Swiss roads before the end of 2020. These will be made available on a pay-per-use basis to transport and logistics companies distributing goods within Switzerland.
The members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association are using the vehicles to build the nationwide refuelling infrastructure with 350 bar and 700 bar for commercial vehicles and cars respectively. The network of filling stations will be expanded over the coming years to supply the growing number of trucks with green hydrogen. Hydrogen filling stations are due to open in St. Gallen, Rümlang, Hunzenschwil, Zofingen, Berne-Bethlehem and Crissier by the end of 2020. At various filling stations, the green hydrogen is also being offered under the designation H2 ZERO.
As the business innovator, H2 ENERGY Ltd operates the central platform for implementing the mobility system (skills centre for technology and business).
Hyundai and Toyota already offer hydrogen-powered electric cars in Switzerland.
Hydrogen mobility can benefit both consumers and the environment. Hydrogen can be produced locally to ensure energy independence. It offers carbon-free mobility, with only water vapour coming out of the exhaust. Electric drives are also quiet and efficient, while hydrogen vehicles are just as quick to refuel as conventional ones.
Hydrogen-electric mobility can also play a major role in the general energy system, as electricity providers can feed excess energy from renewable sources like wind, solar and water to the mobility sector, enabling extensive vehicle range.
Hydrogen also has the advantage that it can be stored. Power-to-gas technology is key for integrating electricity from renewable sources such as hydropower, photovoltaics or wind into the energy system, including use in the mobility sector.
Information on the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and its members is available at www.h2mobilitaet.ch.
Hydrogen-electric mobility in Switzerland is entering the next phase. The pilot phase will this year be followed by the industrial implementation of the entire CO2-free hydrogen circuit. One of the foundations for this process is the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, which now already has 19 members following the addition of Christian Cavegn AG, Emmi Schweiz AG, Schöni Transport AG and Gebrüder Weiss AG, representing a total of more than 5,000 trucks and 2,000 filling stations. Another important milestone is set to follow with the expansion of the H2 filling-station network to the Eastern Switzerland–Zurich–Mittelland–Lausanne route. The next H2 filling station (AVIA) opens on 17 April 2020 in St. Gallen.
Within an association that is unparalleled worldwide, a variety of companies, visionaries and pioneers are currently establishing a sustainable hydrogen electromobility system for commercial vehicles and passenger cars in Switzerland. Following a preparatory phase, industrial implementation is set to kick off this year.
H2 Mobility Switzerland Association continues to grow
One of the driving forces behind this new mobility, the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association is focusing on the rapid development of a nationwide network of hydrogen filling stations and on the use of hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles – both of which are being implemented on a private basis and using green hydrogen from 100% renewable energy sources.
With Christian Cavegn AG, Emmi Schweiz AG, Schöni Transport AG and Gebrüder Weiss AG, the association has now grown to 19 members, which operate over 2,000 filling stations in Switzerland and have more than 5,000 commercial vehicles on the roads.
Daniel Schöni, owner of Schöni Transport AG, the representative for the latest member to join, had the following to say: “As a transport company, we take the responsibility we have for protecting the environment and achieving climate targets as seriously as the fact that only pragmatic, viable and economically justifiable solutions will win out. Up until now, the appropriate technology has not been available. This is no longer the case and the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association is tapping into and realising these new opportunities rapidly, consistently and on a private basis – a pioneering achievement that is ‘Made in Switzerland’ and is sure to attract global interest.”
New hydrogen filling stations along the St. Gallen–Lausanne route
The second milestone in the implementation of the sustainable hydrogen cycle focuses on filling stations. In 2020, five more stations will be added to the network in addition to the existing hydrogen filling station in Hunzenschwil (Coop): Agrola/LANDI in Zofingen, AVIA in St. Gallen and Rümlang, Coop in Dietlikon and Crissier near Lausanne.
The first to open will be AVIA in St. Gallen, with operations starting on 17 April, 2020. Martin Osterwalder, Head of Corporate Development, shed further light on the situation: “The expansion of the network of filling stations that stretches from St. Gallen to Lausanne represents the first steps into a new era of mobility in Switzerland. There is no difference between the way in which fuel-cell electric vehicles and petrol vehicles are used. In the future, both types of vehicle will be able to be filled with fuel at the same location and the same time and will then be able to be driven comparable distances – 500 to 700 kilometres – on a single tank.”
Hydrogen-electric mobility in Switzerland: a project unparalleled around the world
With the local production of green hydrogen, the expansion of the H2 filling-station network to six stations this year and the launch of the Hyundai Xcient hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles, hydrogen mobility is set to become a reality for Switzerland in 2020.
Jörg Ackermann, president of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association: “The cycle is complete. What’s more, it is growing systematically, with the members of our association, Hydrospider Ltd, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Ltd and H2 Energy Ltd implementing this vision in a manner that is unparalleled around the world. The numerous responses and feedback we have received from prospective customers have confirmed to us that the vision and the investments of this company are on the right track towards achieving road traffic climate targets in a real and sustainable manner.”
* * *
Information on the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and its members is available at h2mobilitaet.ch.
Key links and sources of information:
H2 Mobility Switzerland Association h2mobilitaet.ch
H2 Energy Ltd h2energy.ch
Hydrospider Ltd hydrospider.ch
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Ltd hyundai-hm.com
H2 passenger cars hyundai.ch; toyota.ch
- The first 2 MW electrolysis facility for the production of green hydrogen in Switzerland will become operational at the Gösgen hydropower plant at the end of 2019.
- Together with petrol station operators, logistics and trading partners, the joint venture between Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM) and Hydrospider is developing Europe’s very first industrial hydrogen ecosystem.
- Hyundai’s fuel cell technology is driving forward the zero-emission transport of the future.
- Delivery of Hyundai Motor’s first 50 fuel cell trucks to Switzerland in 2020.
- HHM and Hydrospider are working with partners to create a strong business case for future mobility and energy solutions.
Today, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), a joint venture between the Hyundai Motor Company and H2 Energy, reached an important milestone in its partnership with Hydrospider, a joint venture between Alpiq, H2 Energy and Linde, to establish a green hydrogen ecosystem in Switzerland and other European countries.
At Alpiq’s Gösgen hydropower plant, HHM and Hydrospider presented a new business model for zero-emission mobility: It combines Hyundai’s fuel cell lorries, Hydrospider’s production of green hydrogen, a dedicated plan to establish the required fuelling infrastructure and logistics and transport companies that plan to use fuel cell lorries in the future. The partnership is thus making the link between the energy and mobility sectors in the field of road freight transport an economic reality.
Leading role in the development of hydrogen mobility in Europe
Hyundai is a leader in hydrogen technology applications in the mobility sector and intends to enter the European market for environmentally friendly heavy goods transport as a supplier of trucks. Early this year, Hyundai and H2 Energy announced the founding of a joint venture, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, with the purpose of shaping and decisively advancing hydrogen mobility in Europe.
Within the framework of this partnership, HHM plans to bring 1600 fuel cell electric trucks onto the Swiss market by 2025, thus implementing the automobile manufacturer’s entry into the European commercial vehicle sector with emission-free mobility solutions. The company will offer these fuel cell-powered electric lorries to the members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland association and to other transport and logistics companies that promote hydrogen-powered mobility in Switzerland.
In the next step, HHM also intends to position itself on the European market for electric commercial vehicles based on fuel cell technology. In view of Europe’s strict regulations for CO2 emissions, there is great demand for solutions in the field of zero-emission mobility. Currently, the focus lies on the development of solutions and partner networks in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Norway.
2 MW electrolysis plant is a decisive milestone
Hydrospider AG was founded at the beginning of 2019 with the purpose of producing green hydrogen, storing it and supplying it to petrol stations. This joint venture is owned by Alpiq (45%), H2 Energy (45%) and Linde (10%). The electrolysis facility for the production of green hydrogen at Alpiq’s Gösgen hydropower station will be commissioned in late 2019 – a decisive milestone in this project.
HHM, Hydrospider and the members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland association are working together to create the infrastructure for a strong business case for fuel cell truck mobility solutions.
Hyundai unveiled further information of the new Hyundai H2 XCIENT
During the event at the Gösgen hydropower plant, Hyundai unveiled further information on the Hyundai H2 XCIENT. The next generation fuel cell electric truck was developed in accordance with European standards. It features a new 190 kW hydrogen fuel cell system with two fuel cell stacks connected in parallel. Seven hydrogen tanks provide a storage capacity for almost 35 kg of hydrogen and a range of approximately 400 km. The first 50 Hyundai H2 XCIENT fuel cell trucks are scheduled to be delivered to Switzerland in 2020.
Find more information about Hydrospider AG on www.hydrospider.ch
Find more information about Hyundai Motor Europe on www.hyundai.news
Four new members join the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association: Camion Transport Ltd., G. Leclerc Transport AG, F. Murpf AG and Tamoil Ltd.
Promising results after the first year of existence of the association: eight heavyweights of the Swiss transport and mobility industry as well as petrol station operators have already responded to the call of the seven founding members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association who are committed to this particularly environmentally friendly form of electric mobility. Today, its 15 members represent a network of over 2’000 filling stations and a fleet of over 4’000 heavy commercial vehicles throughout Switzerland. They have the ability to set up the H2 infrastructure in Switzerland on a private-sector basis and to put the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles into operation by 2023 – kick-off: at the end of 2019!
In May 2018, seven major Swiss companies founded the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association with the aim of actively and commercially promoting environmentally friendly hydrogen-electric mobility in Switzerland. One year later, the association already has 15 members. Camion Transport Ltd., G. Leclerc Transport AG, F. Murpf AG and Tamoil Ltd. were confirmed by the Management Committee at the beginning of May 2019.
Jörg Ackermann, President of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, takes stock after one year: «First of all, I would like to welcome our new members and the commitment with which they actively support this clean form of electric mobility. With a network of more than 2’000 filling stations and a fleet of more than 4’000 heavy commercial vehicles, our members have the potential to help this clean technology achieve a breakthrough in Switzerland – be it through the operation of hydrogen filling stations or the use of hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles.»
Josef Jäger, Director of Camion Transport Ltd., says on behalf of the four newest members: «With this technology you have to join up early. It offers us the ability to continuously and economically transport goods – but without any emissions.»
The clean energy cycle completes the circuit
The H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, founded a year ago, is actively committed to the development of the national infrastructure with the aim of establishing a nationwide network of hydrogen filling stations in Switzerland by 2023. At the same time, the members of the association agree to use only green hydrogen, 100 % of which is produced from renewable energy sources.
Another important factor in this environmentally friendly energy cycle is the availability of vehicles. Also in this respect, Switzerland is leading the way worldwide. From the end of 2019, the first of over 1’000 (!) hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles from Hyundai will be launched onto Swiss roads and will be used – primarily – by the members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association in everyday activity.
Jörg Ackermann insists: «The advantages are simply too impressive. Filling up in a few minutes and still driving electrically, with only water vapour as emissions, a comparable range, identical performance to diesel trucks and the certainty that only renewable energy sources are being used – these are convincing arguments for the customers, for the companies and for the implementation of the climate targets.»
Regarding the role of hydrogen in the Swiss mobility and energy system, Jörg Ackermann states: «This form of electric mobility plays a useful and valuable role in the energy system because it is based on local resources and renewable energy sources. In order for the system to get off the ground, both ‹chicken and egg› – i.e. the filling stations, the fuel and the vehicles – must now enter the market at the same time. That is precisely what becomes possible through the commitment of our association members. They are building the nationwide infrastructure in order to, in future, refuel fuel-cell electric vehicles – passenger cars and commercial vehicles – with hydrogen in Switzerland.»
- Hyundai and H2 Energy to establish ‘Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility’ to tap into Europe’s hydrogen mobility ecosystem with fuel cell trucks
- Hyundai to deliver 1,600 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks to the JV through 2025, to be leased to member companies of H2 Mobility Switzerland Association and other enterprises
- JV to expand business to neighboring European countries; offer prospects for future partnerships in U.S.
SEOUL, April 15, 2019 – Hyundai Motor Company and H2 Energy AG announced today that they signed a contract for a joint venture, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, aimed at taking a lead across Europe’s burgeoning hydrogen mobility ecosystem.
To begin the joint venture’s operations, Hyundai Motor will deliver 1,600 fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks to Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility from 2019 through 2025.
The venture will then lease a large portion of these fuel-cell powered trucks to the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, which comprises major refuelling station operators, transport and logistics companies, as well as to various other industry players that promote hydrogen mobility in Switzerland.
The joint entity will further expand its market presence to other European countries beyond Switzerland.
Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility also plans to penetrate the hydrogen sales market through a subsidiary firm that produces and supplies hydrogen in Switzerland, with prospects for entering other European countries.
With the establishment of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, Hyundai expects to gain a foothold in Switzerland, where the demand for fuel cell trucks is expected to grow from a stiff nationwide road tax on diesel trucks, which incentivizes fleet operators of diesel trucks to switch to zero emission vehicles.
In the longer term, Hyundai plans to establish an advanced, sustainable position in Europe’s fuel cell electric commercial vehicle market, as it increasingly embraces green mobility amid stringent regulations targeting carbon emissions.
“With today’s agreement, Hyundai Motor will strengthen its business operations across the hydrogen ecosystems in Switzerland and beyond. The venture will enable us to take the first step toward successfully entering the larger European market with our fuel cell electric trucks,” said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. “Harnessing the prospective success of the world’s first commercialization scheme of fuel cell trucks, Hyundai Motor will continue to maintain its technological prowess in hydrogen technology as an innovative and environmentally committed global automaker.”
H2 Energy has industrywide capabilities throughout Switzerland’s hydrogen ecosystem, encompassing hydrogen production and supply, refueling stations, fuel cell vehicle procurement and other fields. The company also offers technical and consulting solutions, drawing on its engineering expertise, extensive infrastructure, solid market presence and close industrywide connections.
“Once again, Hyundai lives up to its role as a world leader in hydrogen technology. This time, Hyundai has ushered in an unstoppable momentum towards eco-friendly mobility for heavy-duty trucks in Europe and beyond,” said H2 Energy Chairman Rolf Huber. “We are very proud to play an active part in this pioneering project in the framework of a joint venture. In addition to supporting the fuel cell truck business, H2 Energy will create a related ecosystem that can flexibly adapt to operate these vehicles.”
After scaling up to meet the demand in Europe, Hyundai will launch its fuel-cell commercial vehicle businesses in other regions around the world, including the U.S. and domestic market in Korea.
Hyundai Motor is a world leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, becoming the world’s first automaker to commercialize fuel-cell electric vehicles with the introduction of ix35 Fuel Cell (also known as Tucson Fuel Cell in some markets) in 2013. NEXO – Hyundai’s second-generation FCEV with a 609-kilometer range on a single charge (under Korean certification standards) – emits only clean water vapor and purifies the air while driving.
The fuel-cell electric powertrain technology has advantages over the battery electric powertrain technology in large commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses. Fuel cell technology saves loading space and reduces vehicle weight, progressively becoming a more cost-efficient power source as the vehicle size increases. As a result, the technology offers a wide array of opportunities in the commercial vehicle sector.
Hyundai Motor’s fuel cell powertrain offers an exclusive propulsion solution for everyday vehicles from passenger cars to commercial vehicles. It represents the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable transport.
Hyundai Motor Group has begun fostering the growth of fuel cell and other related industries around the world as part of its FCEV Vision 2030. The vision aims at creating a worldwide hydrogen society that leverages hydrogen technologies beyond the transportation sector.
Introduction of hydrogen-electric mobility in Switzerland picks up speed
Only 10 months after founding, the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association announces the next new member. With Galliker Transport & Logistics, another heavyweight of mobility takes to hydrogen as the driving energy of the future – a future that is quickly approaching. The first of 1’000 (!) Hyundai hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles should be seen on Swiss roads as early as the end of 2019.
Switzerland is evolving in leaps and bounds into a pioneering country in hydrogen-electric mobility. The H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, which was founded in May last year, has already gained its eleventh member with Galliker Transport & Logistics, which is actively engaged in the envisaged development of the national hydrogen infrastructure.
Galliker Transport & Logistics
The members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association are qualified to develop the hydrogen station network in Switzerland in a timely manner and as members of the private sector. Galliker Transport & Logistics is perfectly suited to this goal.
Peter Galliker: «Thanks to this form of electric mobility, we see an opportunity to remove CO2 from the streets with regard to heavy duty trucks – and sustainably produced hydrogen is the ideal energy storage medium. We can quickly fill up and achieve a considerable distance – nota bene with the same performance capability as a diesel commercial vehicle. In addition, the hydrogen can be produced with 100 % renewable energy, right here, in Switzerland. It is an ideal and faultless cycle, which the private sector can implement in their own right. The approach of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association is also extremely pragmatic. While others talk about it, they take action. That’s why we are a perfect match.»
The introduction of 1’000 Hyundai hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles going ahead as planned
In autumn 2018, Hyundai Motor Company and H2 Energy Ltd announced that they would be introducing 1’000 heavy duty trucks driven by hydrogen-electric power exclusively for the Swiss market. The memorandum of understanding (MOI) signed six months ago is now starting to become reality. If all goes to plan, the first commercial vehicles should be on Swiss roads within less than a year.
Peter Galliker adds: «Switzerland is the first country in the world to introduce 1’000 hydrogen-electric commercial vehicles, and this is a clear demonstration of one of the measures we can take to deal with climate change. It goes without saying that our company is actively supporting the quick introduction of the required infrastructure across Switzerland.»
More information about Galliker Transport & Logistics and the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association can be found at www.galliker.com and www.h2mobilitaet.ch.
The H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, founded in May this year, is growing rapidly. The eight Swiss companies that founded or have since become members of the association are now joined by two heavyweights of the mobility sector: the Emil Frey Group and Shell (Switzerland) AG as part of the multinational corporation.
Hydrogen mobility in Switzerland is steadily gaining ground. Alongside the intended expansion of infrastructure on a national level, an increasing number of car, bus, commercial vehicle and even train manufacturers are investing in the benefits of this efficient form of technology. The members of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association are playing an active role in swiftly establishing a Swiss filling station network on a private-enterprise basis. With the addition of the two new members, the Emil Frey Group and Shell (Switzerland) AG, this decisive plan continues to gather momentum.
Emil Frey Group and Toyota AG
According to Marcel Guerry, Managing Director of the Emil Frey Group Switzerland: “We can only emphasize the fact that we consider sustainably produced hydrogen to be a vital alternative solution for the future of road transport. Its remarkable range, short refuelling time and zero CO2 emissions are just a few arguments in favour of this form of electromobility. Our first Swiss customers driving the mass-produced Toyota Mirai absolutely love this technology! All the more reason to get an extensive filling station network up and running as soon as possible.
Shell
Oliver Bishop, General Manager at Shell Hydrogen, explains: “Hydrogen technology is a highly promising solution and hydrogen is an ideal fuel for clean mobility. We believe that this alternative power source will play an increasingly significant role over the next decade – in markets such as Germany, the UK, Benelux, the USA and Japan as well as in Switzerland. At Shell, we’re right on target.”
More information about the Emil Frey Group, Shell (Switzerland) AG and the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association can be found on www.emilfrey.ch, www.shell.com/hydrogen and www.h2mobilitaet.ch.
SOCAR Energy Switzerland promotes hydrogen mobility
The Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland is growing
Not long after its founding in May this year, the Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland has welcomed its newest member, SOCAR Energy Switzerland. This addition will provide the Association with even greater support in fulfilling its objectives as the Swiss platform for hydrogen mobility.
According to Edgar Bachmann, CEO of SOCAR Energy Switzerland: “SOCAR considers itself a “mobility provider”, supplying our customers with the energy needed for transport today and tomorrow. We see a bright future for sustainable, environmentally-friendly hydrogen mobility, with the opportunity to eliminate CO2 emissions from our roads. This makes it all the more important for us to be part of this promising form of electromobility in Switzerland from the very beginning.”
As part of the Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland, SOCAR Energy Switzerland joins an impressive line-up. Agrola AG, AVIA Association, Coop, Coop Mineraloel AG, the fenaco Cooperative, Migrol AG and the Federation of Migros Cooperatives founded the association as a platform specifically in order to promote and accelerate the establishment of hydrogen mobility in Switzerland.
More information about SOCAR Energy Switzerland and the Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland can be found on www.socarenergy.ch and www.h2mobilitaet.ch.
2018-09-21_Media release_The Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland is growing_EN.docx
2018-09-21_Media release_The Association pro H2 mobility Switzerland is growing_EN.pdf
2018-09-21_Media Info_Der Förderverein H2 Mobilität Schweiz wächst_DE.docx
2018-09-21_Media Info_Der Förderverein H2 Mobilität Schweiz wächst_DE.pdf
2018-09-21_Info aux média_L’Association pro mobilité H2 en Suisse se développe_FR.docx
2018-09-21_Info aux média_L’Association pro mobilité H2 en Suisse se développe_FR.pdf
Agrola AG, AVIA Association, Coop, Coop Mineraloel AG, the fenaco Cooperative, Migrol AG and the Federation of Migros Cooperatives are establishing an association with the goal to jointly develop a nationwide network of hydrogen refueling stations in Switzerland. With their infrastructure they intend to set a basis for the operation of zero emission fuel cell vehicles – a pioneering step towards sustainable mobility in Switzerland. Within five years parts of their own fleet should be transitioned to fuel cell propulsion serving as a basis to run the infrastructure profitably and with no subsidies.
Photo (from left to right): Alexander Streitzig (Agrola AG), Martin Osterwalder (AVIA Association), Jörg Ackermann (Coop), Roger Oser (Coop Mineraloel AG), Daniel Bischof (fenaco Cooperative), Daniel Hofer (Migrol AG), Rainer Deutschmann (Federation of Migros Cooperatives).
Zurich, 18 May 2018 – Even though everybody is talking about battery-powered electric cars, a second electric drive form is already within reach. According to the experts in the sector, hydrogen can be a sustainable technology to store energy on demand and supply electric vehicles with renewable electricity – with several significant advantages. The vehicles can be refuelled in a few minutes with a range of 600 kilometres or more. And instead of exhaust emissions, the vehicle only produces water vapour.
Hydrogen mobility combines the advantages of an electric vehicle with the amenities and routines to which drivers have been accustomed for decades. Furthermore, hydrogen can be seamlessly worked into the renewable energy system as an energy source, and its proof of origin is guaranteed.
Jörg Ackermann, President of the newly-founded association and member of the Coop management board: “As founding members of the association, these seven companies wish to provide the initial impetus and contribute to the breakthrough of this pioneering technology for mobility applications”.
Hydrogen refuelling stations for clean heavy duty vehicles
Due to the lack of a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network the technology so far has not been able to successfully make its way. The members of the association have decided to immediately trigger a change. Jointly they operate more than 1500 traditional refuelling stations and over 1700 heavy duty vehicles – an ideal constellation to establish a nationwide hydrogen infrastructure. The ambitious timeframe for completion is set for 2023.
Compared to passenger cars, heavy duty trucks need 30 to 50 times more hydrogen per year and vehicle. It only takes 10 fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles to allow a hydrogen refuelling station to economically break-even. Therefore, the association members are able to solve the chicken/egg dilemma on their own. In addition, they have established a policy to use green hydrogen only – hydrogen exclusively produced via electrolysis with renewable energy (e.g. at a Swiss hydro power plant).
While several fuel cell passenger cars are already in the market, hydrogen lorries and buses will be launched soon at full speed worldwide. “The current, traditional and well-proven, nationwide network of petrol stations in Switzerland can be ideally complemented with hydrogen components and serve as a basis to refuel fuel cell-powered electric vehicles as well”, Daniel Hofer, CEO of Migrol AG and also President of the Swiss Oil Association, summarises.
The association as a platform and start-up
The association founded on May 17, 2018 serves as a platform for its members. It specializes in addressing basic questions regarding development, market dynamics, technical questions and definitions of standards for hydrogen production, vehicles and hydrogen refuelling stations. Additionally, the association ensures that all components of
this sustainable, CO2-free system are available in Switzerland in order to accelerate the expansion of hydrogen technology.
The association does not itself intend to pursue any commercial gains and is open to further members. The particular investments for vehicles and infrastructure are funded by the individual members on their own expense.
Founding members
The establishment of the association was undertaken by seven major Swiss companies:
Agrola AG (www.agrola.ch)
AVIA Association (www.avia.ch)
Coop (www.coop.ch)
Coop Mineraloel AG (www.coop-mineraloel.ch)
fenaco Cooperative (www.fenaco.com)
Migrol AG (www.migrol.ch)
Federation of Migros Cooperatives (www.migros.ch)