The potential of hydrogen

Toyota, Honda and Nissan are ready to reinforce the infrastructure for hydrogen fueling in Japan, also in view of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. The “Land of the Rising Sun” is not the only one which is interested in this technology: the study entitled “Hydrogen mobility in Europe and in the rest of the world” published by Cinque International reveals specific perspectives for the development of alternative mobility. We analyze the position of Italy within the global scenario with Managing Partner Roberto Francia.

The study is the beginning of a wider-ranging activity: what are the premises?

We have been working on an innovative project idea for about two years. It aims to contribute to resolve the mobility problems in medium-sized and big cities drawing on the integration of the already existing complementary solutions, which are yet applied separately. There are four crucial elements: the sustainable production of hydrogen and oxygen; the production of hydrogen-powered vehicle mainly for the city use; the use of fleets in the framework of sustainable mobility plans; the creation of smart parking solutions. The cornerstone is hydrogen: on the one hand, it allows safe storage of the energy produced from non-programmable renewable sources, and on the other hand, it may be used as a fuel for the means of transportation.

Is Italy a true player in comparison to other countries?

The study results clearly show how Italy falls behind when it comes to the hydrogen-powered transportation, despite different activities implemented in the country, beginning with Trentino-Alto Adige. From Japan (where hydrogen will be the key player in the Olympic Games in Tokyo) to Germany (which will have 400 hydrogen fueling stations by 2023) – the most advanced countries which have already elaborated an infrastructural plan so as not to find themselves unprepared.

Are you also going to aim at information and dissemination?

The media report on launching new models of hydrogen-powered vehicles, but what is missing is the adequate command of the reference scenario. We have prepared a study with a view to providing complete responses to those who wish to know what developments have occurred so far and what will happen in the next years.

Will this technology contribute to meet the requirements imposed by Europe?

The hydrogen-powered vehicles are a hybrid variants of e-cars, as they have much smaller batteries and they are powered with the electricity produced on-board in an electrochemical reaction of compressed hydrogen with the air oxygen in the fuel cells.

When do the works start?

We would like to begin with not less than 200 cars in an Italian metropolitan city. Then, having proved that the model works, that it is economically sustainable and that it entails benefits for the inhabitants, we will export it to other urban areas, both in Italy and abroad.