Nearly 60 parties signed a covenant on Thursday 27 October in Haarlem to stimulate the use of hydrogen. This specifically concerns hydrogen for heavy vehicles. A specific goal is the realization of a provincial network of at least eight hydrogen filling stations.
The covenant must ensure improved cooperation in the hydrogen chain for heavy mobility. The collaborating parties include hydrogen producers, hydrogen filling station operators, hydrogen consumers, vehicle manufacturers and the government. Agricultural vehicles also fall under the definition of heavy mobility.
The aim of this provincial agreement is to stimulate the hydrogen economy. This is necessary because the use of hydrogen is having a hard time getting off the ground. Jeroen Olthof, Deputy for Mobility and Accessibility: “If an entrepreneur purchases a hydrogen vehicle, he must be certain that he can also use hydrogen. And before a hydrogen filling station opens, there must be demand. With this agreement, we want to break through this chicken-and-egg problem.”
In order to offer entrepreneurs who want to drive hydrogen vehicles the certainty of sufficient fueling facilities, the fuel suppliers have committed to creating a comprehensive network of at least eight hydrogen filling stations for heavy vehicles in North Holland. Conversely, the purchasing companies express the intention that by purchasing hydrogen vehicles they will ensure sufficient demand for hydrogen at these filling stations.
The number of hydrogen filling stations in North Holland North is still limited. Since April of this year, heavy vehicles have been able to refuel at the NXT filling station on the Alkmaar business park De Boekelermeer. The realization of the filling station and the purchase of vehicles falls under the direction of Duwaal. Stadswerk072 and GP Groot are customers here. Both companies drive zero-emission hydrogen trucks for waste collection in the region. In addition, Avia Marees opened a hydrogen filling station in early 2022 in Kolhorn.
The fact that the use of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels is not yet sufficiently gaining momentum is not only due to the chicken-and-egg problem. Safety regulations, insurance and permits also play a role, as became apparent during the meeting around the signing. Challenges that entrepreneurs face are extensive and complex and can only be solved if governments and companies work together.
Header image: The NXT hydrogen filling station of GP Groot in Alkmaar.
