Infrastructure and safety issues ‘limiting green fuel producers’ access to key market’ claim

The firm says its recent research poll suggests Europe’s public transport sector has widespread concerns about scaled up hydrogen adoption.

More than 300 professionals in the UK, Germany and Italy were surveyed by the company with regards to possible barriers to adoption.

In all, 93% of those responding had worries about the capacity of their grid connection to fuel their existing or planned hydrogen-powered or battery electric fleets.

Business development director for hydrogen at IMI Andrea Pusceddu noted: “There is little publicly available research on the opinions of those with a stake in the success of hydrogen, including public transport operators.”

“Only a quarter of respondents said they had access to permanent fuelling infrastructure, demonstrating that clear barriers to adoption remain, that need to be explored further.”

Hydrogen storage was another key obstacle, revealed the report, and especially in the UK.

More than three quarters of UK responders (76%) said safety concerns around the issue was a factor affecting adoption. Italy was close behind on 73% although just 55% of those based in Germany spoke of concern over the matter.

The report concluded that the problem should be addressed by reliance upon decentralised storage with small, more localised electrolysers employed in order to reduce the need for major interventions.

“On-site generation through decentralised electrolysis is an effective solution to bridge this gap, eliminating the distance between production and end users while allowing transport networks to trial vehicles without fuelling stations,” it recommended.