By Martin Banks - 22nd November 2011
Only a joint effort of member states, the EU and the private sector today will put these cars on the road as of 2014
Henri Winand
A conference was told that 'zero-emission' technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells can tackle transport emissions, one of the commission's two environmental priorities for 2012.
At the conference on Tuesday, industry representatives and policy makers discussed how to hit the market in time to reach the EU 2020 targets.
The event was told that a lack of infrastructure remains the "crucial factor" for the market success of green technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells.
So far, there are thought to be just 200 fuel stations worldwide – and 70 publically accessible - at which fuel cell vehicles can be re-fuelled with hydrogen.
The gathering heard that several public-private partnerships, both on a national as well as on an international level, aim to increase the number of such stations.
The aim, it was said, is to offer a sufficient hydrogen supply to the growing number of fuel cell-powered cars, expected to hit the streets from 2014 onwards.
A keynote speaker, Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy, said, "Economic and environmental uncertainties are high in Europe today.
"Clean and energy efficient technologies such as market ready fuel cell and hydrogen pave the way towards the transformation of our fossil-fuel based economies to a more diverse and energy secure future whilst contributing to a sustainable economic recovery.
"Only a joint effort of member states, the EU and the private sector today will put these cars on the road as of 2014."
Carmakers participating in the event said that in the current economic situation, only public-private partnerships can create the stable framework needed to bridge the gap to full commercialisation.
According to the EU, clean technologies offer huge commercial opportunities and a market for innovative transport technologies of €300bn in 2020 - up from €200bn today.
During the 'Drive 'n' Ride' event, more than 100 EU officials, MEPs and other high-level stakeholders had the opportunity to experience the reality of clean technology by driving or riding in one of the eight fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on display.
In addition, for the first time in Brussels, a fully mobile and compact hydrogen station demonstrated the refuelling process.
