- 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 vehicles will be able to be filled with fuel at the same location and at the same time and will then be able to be driven comparable distances – 500 to 700 kilometers – 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.”
Source: H2 Mobility Switzerland
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