Public hydrogen filling station
About this good practice
To minimize climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced, a challenge addressed in Kalmar County's policy document "Fossil Fuel-Free Region 2030."
The public hydrogen filling station in Oskarshamn supports the transition to a climate-neutral transport sector by providing fuel without greenhouse gas emissions. The station is powerful, with a capacity to distribute two tons of hydrogen every day, which is sufficient to power many heavy trucks. Hydrogen is particularly suitable for long-distance transport of heavy goods, a sector not well suited for battery operation due to limitations in weight and range.
The station is strategically located to serve long-distance transport companies. By offering a reliable source of hydrogen fuel, the station lowers the threshold for transport companies to invest in hydrogen-powered vehicles. The market development for hydrogen in the automotive industry is somewhat cautious. Previously, there were only two stations in operation that could supply heavy vehicles with hydrogen. The bright spot is that work is ongoing at Volvo and Scania, which hold 70-80% of the Swedish heavy truck market. When these vehicles are available and there is a more robust network of stations, the development will accelerate significantly. It is a threshold to overcome. Therefor the hydrogen filling station in Oskarshamn has significant strategic importance. This hydrogen station represents a crucial step towards accelerating the market in Sweden.
Resources needed
The net investment is estimated to be 38 million SEK (≈3.3 million €). The project has received Governmental funding of 35 million SEK (≈3 million €)
Evidence of success
There will be no investments in hydrogen vehicles unless there is a network of filling stations, and no filling stations will be built unless there is a demand. To stimulate an unripe market, public funds are more or less a prerequisite.
By utilizing the opportunity to get public funding, this hydrogen filling station has improved the chance of growing a hydrogen market in the region substantially.
Potential for learning or transfer
To develop a market for hydrogen vehicles, it is essential to promote both supply and demand to make sure actors are willing to invest. The filling station addresses the former prerequisite and is partly funded by a government authority, The Swedish Energy Agency, through a funding program called Regional Electrification Pilots, designed to accelerate the establishment of charging and hydrogen filling station infrastructure for heavy transport in Sweden.
The company establishing the hydrogen filling station, formerly a traditional fuel company selling fossil fuels, has received positive response to their contribution to the green transition and is convinced that hydrogen is the best alternative, primarily for long-distance transport of heavy goods. It is however important to keep supporting the hydrogen market to cross the threshold when the market no longer needs subsidies.
Further information
Good practice owner
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