Hydrogen has a role to play in decarbonizing the transport sector and more broadly all forms of mobility. The deployment involves a network of stations throughout the country, with green hydrogen produced locally. Overview of hydrogen mobility and 2030 perspectives.
Alongside megafactories near ports and industrial centers, the deployment of green hydrogen involves numerous territorial projects. Hydrogen production is diversifying. Electrolysers can use photovoltaic plants or wind turbines. But hydrogen can also be produced by biomass. Production projects backed by agri-food industries could see the light of day everywhere in our regions. However, these projects are often associated with the use of hydrogen for mobility. This distribution allows us to hope for a territorial network of hydrogen distribution stations. This availability of hydrogen is essential for the development of mobility. The network of stations allows manufacturers to turn to the development of hydrogen vehicles. Thus Toyota, BMW, Stellantis, Hyvia, but also new manufacturers like Hopium, are in the process of developing hydrogen models of cars or utility vehicles. During the Paris Motor Show, a sector will be reserved for electric and hydrogen vehicles and everyone will be able to try cars with hydrogen engines.
As for trucks, Cummins, Hyson, Mercedes and Hyundai are working on hydrogen trucks or engines.
Megafactories and a deployment of services along major routes in Europe will allow the use of hydrogen, which is very suitable for heavy transport (rapid charging and significant autonomy).
On the boat side, the deployment of megafactories in many ports will allow the installation of large hydrogen boats. The aeronautics sector is also helped by the State to develop future hydrogen aircraft. Airbus is actively working on this.
Hydrogen engines
Regarding the engines, two technologies coexist: fuel cell (PAC) and hydrogen thermal engine. Hydrogen has a role to play in decarbonizing the transport sector and more broadly all forms of mobility. A hydrogen vehicle with PAC is a zero-emission vehicle which offers the operational comfort of a thermal vehicle. This electric vehicle is powered by a tank of hydrogen gas. Its only exhaust release is water. Today, fleets of professional vehicles (communities, businesses) are already deployed in the region.
These include light utility vehicles and sedans (taxis) or even bus fleets. Household waste bins are also being deployed with several communities which have already placed orders. At the level of XXL mobility, hydrogen is envisaged for ferry-type passenger ships, but also for hydrogen trains and planes. But the thermal engine can be an alternative, particularly for these heavy vehicles. It allows the use of less purified hydrogen, and is operational on high powers from now on. The stations can recharge these two types of complementary engines.
Horizon 2030
Regarding production, we expect 52% of carbon-free hydrogen, or 700,000 tonnes (compared to 5% currently) and 6.5 GW of electrolysers, not counting new production of green hydrogen. Mobility could mobilize 342,000 tonnes of carbon-free hydrogen in 2030.
