In Europe, Germany has been the “launching pad” for hydrogen, with around 70 filling stations in full operation and 30 more expected to open by the end of the year. Investment in this alternative energy is even greater in the Far East, where China has set the ambitious goal of placing a million hydrogen-powered automobiles on the road by 2030. South Korea and Japan are also at the global forefront, the latter being one of the pioneers in the hydrogen-powered automobile industry.
Indeed, hydrogen-powered vehicles seem to be an unavoidable reality, however, despite the fact that the more developed countries are making moves in this direction, Portugal has adopted a more defensive position in relation to the issue. Too defensive for the Portuguese Association for the Promotion of Hydrogen (AP2H2). João José Campos Rodrigues, president of AP2H2, is of the opinion that “hydrogen is not being taken into account as a factor for the improvement of national mobility”.
A DESIRE TO CHANGE
There are, however, indicators that show a desire to change this reality. Moreover, Portugal is part of a community project consisting of the construction of a “hydrogen motorway” (it will feature filling stations along the entire route) planned to cross part of Europe. The road will begin in Germany and end in southern Portugal.
Automobile manufacturers have also shown signs of change for the near future. Toyota has been one of the giants in this industry to clearly state the path it wishes to take with regard to the future. The Japanese corporation is the most advanced manufacturer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, fuel cells, a solution that mixes the hydrogen contained in a tank with the oxygen taken from the air to produce electricity.
In Portugal, and with the participation of Galp, the Japanese manufacturer and Salvador Caetano have entered into an agreement to launch the first bus on the market powered exclusively by hydrogen and that only emits water, and the prototype is expected to be unveiled before the end of the year.
And, despite all the investment in electrically-powered vehicles, the president of AP2H2 has no doubts: “Hydrogen is going to be the fuel of the future, whereby electric vehicles will be relegated to local mobility.”
THE ADVANTAGES OF HYDROGEN IN MOBILITY
As with electric vehicles, the main benefit of hydrogen-powered vehicles is that when driven, they produce zero pollutant emissions, water vapour being the only sub-product released into the atmosphere. Moreover, as fuel cells do not depend on combustion, these vehicles´ engines generate less sound, thereby contributing to a substantial reduction in noise.
The advantages, João Rodrigues emphasises, are numerous, sufficient reason for the political decision-makers to weigh up all the pros and cons. “This is a renewable energy that can be easily produced from any renewable source of energy, emits no CO2, and is the solution that will enable us to be rid of fossil fuels, in addition to being inexhaustible, which will guarantee energy autonomy anywhere in the world.”
In the quest for carbon neutrality, the decarbonisation of the transport sector will reduce pollutant emissions, limit the impact of harmful climate change and improve human health in the future, all of which is already at the door, but awaiting permission to come in.