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can assume a pioneering role in
this field and establish itself as the industry leader as we
move towards emission-free mobility."
"The fuel cell represents a
decisive step forward for electromobility, as it enables
zero-emission driving with high ranges and short refuelling
times – and not just for passenger cars, but for commercial
vehicles too. In partnership with Linde, we are now taking the
next step by getting things going on the infrastructure side. 20
new hydrogen filling stations will give the market a major
stimulus," remarked Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of
Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars at the
finish of the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in Stuttgart.
Having started off from Stuttgart at the end of January, the
first circumnavigation of the globe in fuel-cell vehicles took
in four continents and 14 countries. Each of the vehicles
involved covered over 30,000 kilometres. Linde accompanied the
F-CELL World Drive as the exclusive hydrogen partner, providing
the zero-emission vehicles with a mobile supply of hydrogen for
the duration of the tour.
Construction and commissioning of
the new filling stations will already start in 2012. Other
partners from the petroleum, power supply or automotive
industries, for instance, are welcome to become involved in the
joint initiative that has been set up by Daimler and Linde.
Background: the infrastructure
of hydrogen filling stations in Germany
The successful introduction of
fuel-cell vehicles depends on the development of a public
hydrogen supply infrastructure. The first centres have already
sprung up in large metropolitan areas, such as Berlin and
Hamburg. There are nearly 30 hydrogen refuelling points in
Germany at the current time, seven of which are integrated into
a public filling station facility. This means that Germany
clearly leads the way in Europe. To begin with, just five to ten
filling stations are sufficient for conveniently servicing the
requirements of a large city. Joining up these urban centres –
for example Berlin with Hamburg, Stuttgart with Munich – by
means of corridors along the arterial roads between them is a
major step forward towards the establishment of a nationwide
public H2 infrastructure.
(June 01, 2011)
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