Linde continues work to develop hydrogen fuel infrastructure in Germany
January 16, 2017Linde opens a new hydrogen station to the public
Linde, a leading producer of chemical gases, has opened a new public hydrogen fuel station in Germany. The station has found a home near Munich, where it will serve drivers of fuel cell vehicles. The latest project from Linde serves as yet another step toward developing a comprehensive hydrogen fuel infrastructure in Germany. The country is expected to become a very popular market for fuel cell vehicles, especially as more hydrogen stations begin opening up to the public.
Company continues to support hydrogen fuel infrastructure development efforts
Over the past few years, Linde has equipped more than 100 hydrogen fuel stations with the technology they need to operate. The company has played a major role in helping establish a hydrogen fuel infrastructure throughout the world, preparing the way for fuel cell vehicles. These vehicles are still in limited supply, but several major automakers have successfully launched fuel cell vehicles in some markets. Some automakers believe that these vehicles will not find any significant traction among consumers until a hydrogen fuel infrastructure is in place. As such, they have limited their production.
Hydrogen fuel infrastructure continues to expand in Germany
Germany is home to an expansive hydrogen fuel infrastructure, one of the largest in the world. This has made the country a very attractive testing ground for fuel cell vehicles. Several automakers have brought their new vehicles, equipped with fuel cells, to Germany to test their performance and demonstrate their capabilities. This has successfully generated some hype in the clean transportation space, but fuel cell vehicles have a long way to go before they can effectively compete with battery electrics and their more traditional counterparts.
Overcoming infrastructure challenges could make fuel cell vehicles more attractive
Developing a comprehensive hydrogen fuel infrastructure presents many challenges, especially in terms of cost and government regulation. Hydrogen is notoriously volatile, so storage is also a problematic issue. Once these challenges are overcome, hydrogen stations are likely to become more common. This may also encourage more consumers to acquire fuel cell vehicles, as they will be able to access the hydrogen they need more easily.