WE ADVOCATE FOR GREEN MOBILITY.
As an energy carrier and feedstock, green hydrogen has the potential to be a game changer for a successful transport and energy transition. Using the car industry as an entry market, we have shown that H2 mobility has reached market maturity. We are ready!
Now it is essential to create the regulatory framework needed for a timely market ramp-up. The German cabinet’s adoption of the National Hydrogen Strategy (NWS) was an important step in establishing hydrogen technologies as a key element in the energy transition. Integrating a broad spectrum of applications is a door opener to fully exploiting their potential – across sectors and modes of transport.
Politicians and industry must now join forces to translate the defined goals into reality and identify and remove obstacles. In line with the 2050 climate targets, with decarbonized mobility and an economy that will remain strong going forward.
The Clean Vehicle Directive (CVD) shows the great importance of H2 mobility for publicly owned fleets, e.g. in local public transport. The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID) specifies the further expansion of H2 infrastructure for cars and heavy-duty vehicles as an indispensable measure. Effective political support is needed to achieve success in these areas in the near future. Targeted market ramp-up programs are needed to stimulate an integrated hydrogen economy, demand in the transport sector, and further expansion of the H2 infrastructure. In line with the Green Deal, it also makes sense to closely link the national hydrogen strategy with the EU-wide hydrogen industry strategy. We need a joint path for industry and politics, with bold and ambitious goals!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GERMANY AS A BUSINESS LOCATION
Our goal is a sustainable transport and energy transition. As a source of ideas and an expert advisory body for policymakers, we highlight potential, identify challenges, and develop possible solutions. We very much welcome the goal anchored in the NWS, of promoting industry competitiveness through research and development. This is because we see hydrogen- and fuel cell-powered mobility as an opportunity for Germany as a business location to take on a pioneering role across several generations. H2 mobility has a net output ratio that is definitely comparable with conventional forms of propulsion. It is important to commit to resolutely initiating the market for national and European fuel cell technology. Implementing the NWS should hopefully also create investment-secure conditions for action. Domestic hydrogen production, the export market for power-to-X, and the import market for green hydrogen must also be promptly and stringently structured to create a secure, sustainable market on the supply side as well.
In this way, an economic upturn that guarantees new jobs would become realistic. The automotive industry can emerge stronger from the transition and continue to be a mainstay of the German economy.
The opportunity is there, we just have to seize it, together.