The Danish fuel cell industry is pleased with the settlement on fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) made today. The Danish industry association, The Danish Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, commend the government (Venstre) and the engaged political parties Socialdemokraterne, Dansk Folkeparti and Det Radikale Venstre and is particularly pleased that the tax exemption for FCEVs now runs to 2019.
“I am happy that a broad coalition engaged in today’s settlement recognizes the potential that fuel cells have in the transport sector. Now the fuel cell industry can continue the development, expand the refueling infrastructure, and increase in export, technology and jobs in Denmark. This is an important day and we would like to commend the government and the engaged political parties on their foresight”, says Tejs Laustsen Jensen, CEO of the Danish Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.
It is only within the last few years that actual serial produced FCEVs running on hydrogen have been introduced to the market, and the risk of full registration tax on the vehicles in 2016, made the market more reluctant and came close to a full stop in orders this autumn. A full registration tax would have had set many of the already invested funds from public and private players in hydrogen and methanol refueling infrastructure at risk of being fruitless. With the settlement today, the industry expects growth and many new Danish jobs in the years to come.
“Now we can deploy more zero and low emission cars in Denmark and continue the significant investments already made over the past couple of years in – amongst others – hydrogen and methanol refueling stations. Now we can strengthen the FCEV market and prepare it for a gradually introduction to the regular taxation system. We are really pleased with the settlement and we praise all the engaged political parties for recognizing the need for tax exemption for a few more years” says Tejs Laustsen Jensen.
It is not only the content of the settlement but also the number of engaged parties the fuel cell CEO appreciate.
“It is crucial for investors and car manufacturers to have stability and knowing the framework conditions. The broad political settlement of today generates peace to work within the industry. This will generate
significant private investments in infrastructure and the Danish energy system in general within the years to come. We therefore acknowledge the hard work that Karsten Lauritzen (V), Minister of Taxation, and the rest of the coalition have done. They have seen beyond the everyday fires in Parliament and engaged in this broad and prospective settlement” Tejs Laustsen Jensen ends.
Denmark now has seven hydrogen refueling stations and 37 FCEVs of which two of the stations and 25 of the cars are partially funded by HyFIVE.
Source: HyFive
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