Periodic Reporting for period 6 - H2ME 2 (Hydrogen Mobility Europe 2)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2023-12-31
Hydrogen Mobility Europe 2 (H2ME 2) has brought together action in 9 European countries to contribute to address the innovations required to make the hydrogen mobility sector closer to readiness for market with funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (CH2 JU). The project has successfully performed a large-scale market test of 20 hydrogen refuelling stations and over 1100 passenger and commercial fuel cell electric vehicles. These have operated in real-world customer applications and demonstrated possible system benefits generated by using electrolytic hydrogen solutions in grid operations.
H2ME 2 is the natural successor to the Hydrogen Mobility Europe (H2ME 1) project (2014 FCH JU call, ended in November 2020), sharing 20 out of 46 partners in total. H2ME 2 again has brought together national initiatives leading in the push to commercialise hydrogen technology (original members - Germany, France, UK, Scandinavia, new member – Netherlands). Taken in conjunction, the H2ME 1 & 2 projects are the most ambitious coordinated hydrogen deployment project attempted globally to date in Europe.
H2ME 2 is the natural successor to the Hydrogen Mobility Europe (H2ME 1) project (2014 FCH JU call, ended in November 2020), sharing 20 out of 46 partners in total. H2ME 2 again has brought together national initiatives leading in the push to commercialise hydrogen technology (original members - Germany, France, UK, Scandinavia, new member – Netherlands). Taken in conjunction, the H2ME 1 & 2 projects are the most ambitious coordinated hydrogen deployment project attempted globally to date in Europe.
H2ME in its two phases has been underway for nearly 8 years. The focus has been on deploying larger numbers of light duty fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) (over 1,400 deployed) and associated hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) (49 commissioned) to test and develop business models, assess sentiment, prove technologies at scale and apply learning to overcome some of the barriers to more widespread application. The H2ME2 project came to an end in December 2023.
H2ME 2 has contributed to this in the following key areas:
• 20 HRS were commissioned and tested, including 8 additional HRS commissioned in period 6 (P6). Overall, the H2ME initiative has deployed 49 HRS in 8 countries to date. In 2023, this is estimated to correspond to 20% of public HRS in operation in Europe.
• 53 HRS reported data to H2ME in P6 (29 H2ME, 18 H2ME2, and 6 non-project that committed to report to the project), compared to 43 HRS in P5. HRS reporting to H2ME have now dispensed 917 tonnes (P5: 377 tonnes) in 361 000 refuelling events (P5: 148 600). Sixteen stations have dispensed over 10 tonnes, accounting for 84% of the H2ME total. 21 organisations partners in H2ME to deploy these HRS (AGA, Air Liquide Advanced Business, Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, Linde, BOC, CNR, GNVERT, McPhy, EIFER, Elogen, H2 Mobility Deutschland, ITM Power, HYOP, Hype Assets, HYSSY, HysetCo, Nel, Nel Proton, Kerkhof, R-HYNOCA, SEMITAN).
• Over 1,100 vehicles were deployed by Symbio, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda and end-users involved in the project (Alphabet, City of Copenhagen, Icelandic New Energy, Kerkhof, Hype, HysetCo, Nel H2). Overall, the H2ME initiative has deployed over 1,400 vehicles in 9 countries. This is estimated to be equivalent to a third of vehicles deployed in Europe in 2023.
• H2ME vehicles have reported a total of over 40m km driven since 2015 (25m in P5):
o H2ME2 vehicles: 28.8 m km driven (P5 value: 14.2 m km).
o H2ME1 vehicles: 11.3 m km driven (P5 value: 10.7 m km).
o Other non-project vehicles have reported an additional ~200,000 km driven.
o Large increase in distance driven in the period is mainly due to additional end-user vehicle deployments, particularly use as taxis.
• Extensive performance and market analysis were conducted during the project including data performance analysis (CENEX), market readiness and customer value proposition (ERM, previously Element Energy) and electrolyser in grid operation (EIFER, ERM, Open Energi and University of Manchester). Overall, close to 100 reports were produced and submitted by cross-cutting work package with all public deliverables available on the project website.
• H2ME2 has been presented at a series of European events and organised events to disseminate findings (hySolutions, CENEX, ERM). Overall, the project was represented at 30 events, including the World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition (in May 2023) during which H2ME2 held its final conference, general assembly, roundtable and organised a vehicle exhibition and test-ride.
Key findings of the project can be found on the website using this link: https://h2me.eu/(opens in new window)
H2ME 2 has contributed to this in the following key areas:
• 20 HRS were commissioned and tested, including 8 additional HRS commissioned in period 6 (P6). Overall, the H2ME initiative has deployed 49 HRS in 8 countries to date. In 2023, this is estimated to correspond to 20% of public HRS in operation in Europe.
• 53 HRS reported data to H2ME in P6 (29 H2ME, 18 H2ME2, and 6 non-project that committed to report to the project), compared to 43 HRS in P5. HRS reporting to H2ME have now dispensed 917 tonnes (P5: 377 tonnes) in 361 000 refuelling events (P5: 148 600). Sixteen stations have dispensed over 10 tonnes, accounting for 84% of the H2ME total. 21 organisations partners in H2ME to deploy these HRS (AGA, Air Liquide Advanced Business, Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, Linde, BOC, CNR, GNVERT, McPhy, EIFER, Elogen, H2 Mobility Deutschland, ITM Power, HYOP, Hype Assets, HYSSY, HysetCo, Nel, Nel Proton, Kerkhof, R-HYNOCA, SEMITAN).
• Over 1,100 vehicles were deployed by Symbio, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda and end-users involved in the project (Alphabet, City of Copenhagen, Icelandic New Energy, Kerkhof, Hype, HysetCo, Nel H2). Overall, the H2ME initiative has deployed over 1,400 vehicles in 9 countries. This is estimated to be equivalent to a third of vehicles deployed in Europe in 2023.
• H2ME vehicles have reported a total of over 40m km driven since 2015 (25m in P5):
o H2ME2 vehicles: 28.8 m km driven (P5 value: 14.2 m km).
o H2ME1 vehicles: 11.3 m km driven (P5 value: 10.7 m km).
o Other non-project vehicles have reported an additional ~200,000 km driven.
o Large increase in distance driven in the period is mainly due to additional end-user vehicle deployments, particularly use as taxis.
• Extensive performance and market analysis were conducted during the project including data performance analysis (CENEX), market readiness and customer value proposition (ERM, previously Element Energy) and electrolyser in grid operation (EIFER, ERM, Open Energi and University of Manchester). Overall, close to 100 reports were produced and submitted by cross-cutting work package with all public deliverables available on the project website.
• H2ME2 has been presented at a series of European events and organised events to disseminate findings (hySolutions, CENEX, ERM). Overall, the project was represented at 30 events, including the World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition (in May 2023) during which H2ME2 held its final conference, general assembly, roundtable and organised a vehicle exhibition and test-ride.
Key findings of the project can be found on the website using this link: https://h2me.eu/(opens in new window)
H2ME has been successful in advancing on 10 key areas of commercialisation:
• Green mass mobility and logistics solutions have been proven in cities and regions, with ranges and refuelling time similar to conventional vehicles. Experience gained gives a robust springboard for further roll-outs.
• FCEVs have worked reliably, with new models offering increased performance, becoming available on the market.
• FCEVs are finding niches where battery electric vehicles are challenged, in extreme range and in intensive operation. While this applies to some extend to personal cars and commercial vans in intensive applications, it applies even more to heavy-duty trucks, long-distance and city buses. Last-mile deliveries (which require a significant overall range) could also emerge as a good fit for FCEVs with van models to be launched by key European OEMs from 2024 onwards (Renault, Stellantis, Vauxhall).
• Feasibility of a hydrogen supply infrastructure at scale has been proven, including green (electrolytic) hydrogen produced from renewable energy which can be produced on-site at periods of low electric grid demand. Expansion in HRS numbers and learning has improved availability. Learning and sharing best practice in permitting, in failure modes and design workarounds, and in servicing is also being applied.
• As HRS increase in size, and in number, utilisation and more hydrogen is being dispensed, economies of scale is improving, and it is becoming more affordable. However, this is highly dependent on consistent baseload demand and energy market prices. This trend will continue and could present a challenge for the sector.
• Hydrogen is a flexible energy vector, with cross-over benefits to hard-to-abate sectors, such as industry, shipping and aviation. As hydrogen (including from imports) becomes more prevalent across applications, issues around cost and availability seen in early roll-out phase will lessen.
• Roll-out of FCEVs in H2ME has demonstrated safe fuelling with hydrogen without compromise to safe vehicle operation.
• End to end life cycle CO2 emissions relating to green hydrogen are similar to those of BEVs.
• Significant gains in technical know-how have been accrued, with potential gains in green jobs, energy security and CO2 savings.
• Prior to H2ME, there were few FCEVs in Europe and almost no fuel cell vans were fielded. There are now deployment of light duty vehicles, with taxi fleets growing and in the fuel cell van segment, and H2ME has encouraged further activity across in other vehicle segments (e.g. FCEVs (ZEFER), heavy duty fuel cell trucks (H2Haul). Prior to H2ME, almost no fuel cell vans were fielded. The following models were deployed: Mercedes-Benz GLC, Hyundai Nexo, new model of Renault Kangoo Z.E. Hydrogen (by Symbio), HK0 (by Symbio), Peugeot E-Expert H2 L3, Opel Vivaro H2 L3, Citroen E-Jumpy H2 L2 & L3 and Toyota Mirais Generation 1 and 2.
• Green mass mobility and logistics solutions have been proven in cities and regions, with ranges and refuelling time similar to conventional vehicles. Experience gained gives a robust springboard for further roll-outs.
• FCEVs have worked reliably, with new models offering increased performance, becoming available on the market.
• FCEVs are finding niches where battery electric vehicles are challenged, in extreme range and in intensive operation. While this applies to some extend to personal cars and commercial vans in intensive applications, it applies even more to heavy-duty trucks, long-distance and city buses. Last-mile deliveries (which require a significant overall range) could also emerge as a good fit for FCEVs with van models to be launched by key European OEMs from 2024 onwards (Renault, Stellantis, Vauxhall).
• Feasibility of a hydrogen supply infrastructure at scale has been proven, including green (electrolytic) hydrogen produced from renewable energy which can be produced on-site at periods of low electric grid demand. Expansion in HRS numbers and learning has improved availability. Learning and sharing best practice in permitting, in failure modes and design workarounds, and in servicing is also being applied.
• As HRS increase in size, and in number, utilisation and more hydrogen is being dispensed, economies of scale is improving, and it is becoming more affordable. However, this is highly dependent on consistent baseload demand and energy market prices. This trend will continue and could present a challenge for the sector.
• Hydrogen is a flexible energy vector, with cross-over benefits to hard-to-abate sectors, such as industry, shipping and aviation. As hydrogen (including from imports) becomes more prevalent across applications, issues around cost and availability seen in early roll-out phase will lessen.
• Roll-out of FCEVs in H2ME has demonstrated safe fuelling with hydrogen without compromise to safe vehicle operation.
• End to end life cycle CO2 emissions relating to green hydrogen are similar to those of BEVs.
• Significant gains in technical know-how have been accrued, with potential gains in green jobs, energy security and CO2 savings.
• Prior to H2ME, there were few FCEVs in Europe and almost no fuel cell vans were fielded. There are now deployment of light duty vehicles, with taxi fleets growing and in the fuel cell van segment, and H2ME has encouraged further activity across in other vehicle segments (e.g. FCEVs (ZEFER), heavy duty fuel cell trucks (H2Haul). Prior to H2ME, almost no fuel cell vans were fielded. The following models were deployed: Mercedes-Benz GLC, Hyundai Nexo, new model of Renault Kangoo Z.E. Hydrogen (by Symbio), HK0 (by Symbio), Peugeot E-Expert H2 L3, Opel Vivaro H2 L3, Citroen E-Jumpy H2 L2 & L3 and Toyota Mirais Generation 1 and 2.