Gas group Linde says it is “absolutely sure” there is a future for hydrogen cars
Clean Energy Wire
It is certain that hydrogen will be used on a large scale in future cars, according to German industrial gas supplier Linde. “We’re absolutely sure about the future of hydrogen in passenger cars,” said Markus Bachmeier, head of the company’s Hydrogen Solutions division, at the industry trade fair in Hanover. He cited “exponential growth” in hydrogen applications, albeit from a very low base, such as increasing numbers of hydrogen cars in Germany and California. Bachmeier added that whereas e-car charging infrastructure does not offer any viable business models, rolling out a network of hydrogen fuelling stations offers companies the chance to earn money.
Linde is part of the “Hydrogen Council” of companies that has pledged to invest 10 billion euros to push hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Daimler, BMW, and Toyota are also part of this group. German carmakers BMW, Daimler and VW agreed in March to focus on electric and hybrid cars rather than fuel cells, saying they believe fuel cells won’t be market-ready for another 10 years.