The hydrogen engine is at the starting line: major special show organised by the Hydrogen Engine Alliance
The topic of hydrogen will play an important role at NUFAM from 25 to 28 September. The Hydrogen Engine Alliance will be organising a special show on the first two days of the trade fair.
The hydrogen engine is ready to go. This clear signal is sent by the ‘Special Show’, organised by the Hydrogen Engine Alliance as part of NUFAM. Around 30 exhibitors will be demonstrating the full potential of this drive technology, which can be used in vehicles and machinery, for example, at the ‘Special Show’ at NUFAM from 25 to 26 September at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre.
In Karlsruhe, the hydrogen engine will be demonstrating its potential for a wide range of applications in the commercial vehicle sector. However, considerable investments still need to be made in the coming years. ‘The infrastructure is and remains the open flank for the breakthrough of the hydrogen engine,’ emphasises Professor Thomas Koch, Chairman of the Hydrogen Engine Alliance.
‘The already operational hydrogen engine is a signal for the development of a hydrogen refuelling station infrastructure in Europe,’ said Arnd Franz, CEO of MAHLE GmbH at ‘Hydrogen Live’ 2023. According to Franz, the technology mix of battery and fuel cell drives, combustion engines powered by CO2-neutral fuels, which include the hydrogen engine in particular, is indispensable for achieving the ambitious EU climate targets. Franz emphasises: ‘Hydrogen has the potential to make many commercial vehicles climate-neutral particularly quickly.’
"In general, we must not lose speed with the hydrogen engine in Europe; this also applies to the regulatory framework, which has not yet been finalised. We are not alone with this technology in Europe. The first heavy commercial vehicle with a hydrogen engine has already hit the roads in India this year," says Andreas Kufferath, Member of the Board of the Hydrogen Engine Alliance and Vice President of BOSCH GmbH.
Hydrogen will play a decisive role in the energy transition in Europe in the coming years. Given the forecast volumes, the amount of hydrogen required for the commercial vehicle sector will not be in competition with other applications. ‘We cannot understand discussions about distribution battles over green hydrogen,’ says Marco Warth, Member of the Board of Management of the Hydrogen Engine Alliance and Vice President of MAHLE International GmbH.
Annual conference of the Alliance
In addition to the ‘special show’, the annual conference of the member companies of the Hydrogen Motor Alliance will be held at the same time at the exhibition centre. The focus will be on procurement, distribution and outstanding regulatory issues at European and federal level.
About the Hydrogen Engine Alliance
Founded in January 2022, the Hydrogen Engine Alliance brings together the expertise of currently 85 renowned members from industry and research. The drive of all members is fuelled by the awareness and deep conviction that hydrogen technology can make a decisive contribution to the mobility of the future.
The association of automotive companies, suppliers, engineers of various specialisations and research institutes sees itself primarily as a communication platform with the aim of sharing knowledge with society. One thing is certain for us: the future belongs to hydrogen.
For further information or interview requests, Michael Rein can be contacted at michael.rein@allianz-wasserstoffmotor.de.
