Along with hydrogen mobility expert CaetanoBus, industrial gas giant Air Liquide and Toyota Motor Europe (Toyota) will work to scale up the emergence of new hydrogen ecosystems across Europe, focusing initially on the infrastructure around hydrogen-powered buses, light commercial vehicles and cars, eventually looking at the potential of decarbonising the hard-to-abate heavy-duty truck sector.
Calling low-carbon hydrogen a ‘key solution’ to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions within the mobility sector, Matthieu Giard, Vice President, Member of the Executive Committee, Air Liquide, said, “Such partnerships are essential to create efficient ecosystems that will foster the emergence of hydrogen mobility in Europe.”
“Air Liquide has been committed for more than 50 years to develop the entire hydrogen value chain and will bring its expertise in both the production of low-carbon hydrogen and the development of hydrogen mobility infrastructures.”
CaetanoBus’ H2.City Gold bus project
The project is one of several ongoing initiatives to study and scale-up the hydrogen mobility sector.
Spanish hydrogen solutions specialist Carburos Metálicos has been running a ‘Hydrogen Route’ since 2021, showcase its pioneering hydrogen-powered bus tests throughout several cities in Spain.
During the Route, the Air Products company has demonstrated hydrogen refuelling operations with real life passengers to highlight the feasibility of the clean energy alternative.
Portugal-based CaetanoBus is attempting to expand the potential of clean bus transport through its H2.City Gold project, a hydrogen-powered electric bus that utilises Toyota’s fuel cell technology and is capable of travelling 400km on a single refill.
By combining the strengths of each company involved in the agreement, Toyota hopes to expand the development of hydrogen clusters.
“Toyota’s role is to bring the hydrogen applications into the ecosystem, and by working together with our partners we want to accelerate and intensify the use of hydrogen as a carbon neutral solution for mobility,” said Matt Harrison, President, CEO, Toyota Motors Europe.
“This will gradually reduce the costs of hydrogen and its infrastructure while improving the business case for many future applications including mobility.”