“Alternative methods of propulsion are on their way"

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) in Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) is one of Germany’s most renowned research institutions in the areas of energy system analysis, photo-voltaics, regenerative fuels, battery technology and fuel cells. In the case of battery technology and fuel cells it is the largest independent research and technology transfer center in Europe. Its three sites in Stuttgart, Widderstall and Ulm currently employ around 150 scientists, engineers and technologists. In advance of “the electric avenue”, the second exhibition for sustainable mobility which is to take place from 3 to 6 June 2010 at the tradeshow grounds in Friedrichshafen, the chairman, Prof. Dr. Werner Tillmetz explains the future of car propulsion.

The expert is convinced that the automotive industry is taking this challenge very seriously. “There have been many alternative propulsion concepts for years,” he says, adding that Daimler launched the first fuel cell vehicle as long ago as 1994. Since then the company has invested over a billion euros in fuel cell development. With over 100 test vehicles having driven more than 4.5 million kilometers, the Stuttgart car manufacturer has one of the largest fleets of fuel cell cars and buses in the world. The small series production of the B-class F-CELL began at the end of 2009. The first prototype of the new generation of fuel cell buses will also be launched this year.

The subject of Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) is also interesting, in which the oil industry, energy providers and the gas and automobile industry are also involved. In Berlin and Hamburg according to Prof. Tillmetz, 40 hydrogen vehicles are used daily. “The aim of the CEP is to demonstrate the suitability for everyday use of hydrogen as a fuel in vehicles and to test the infrastructure for filling the vehicles.” Of the almost 30 hydrogen filling stations currently in Germany seven are integrated in a public filling station company. Germany is a clear leader in this area in Europe.

Throughout the world there are other activities taking place in the automobile industry. Electric vehicles such as the MiniE by BMW, Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius, Smart, Audi E-tron, Nissan, and Opel Ampera are already on the way. In addition, leading vehicle manufacturers recently announced a joint declaration of intent to develop and launch electric vehicles with fuel cells. From 2015 they hope to have several hundred thousand vehicles available worldwide. The partners in the “H2 Mobility” initiative are Daimler, EnBW, Linde, OMV, Shell, Total, Vattenfall and the national organization for hydrogen and fuel cell technology. “Close coordination between politicians, industry and research is crucial for systematic implementation in production,” emphasizes Prof. Tillmetz.

According to figures from the German Federal Ministry of Transportation there are plans to produce a million electric cars by 2020. This proportion is still low as in 10 years 45 million cars are expected to appear on German roads. In Prof. Tillmetz’s opinion there is more than enough electricity available from renewable resources. In 2020, 1.5 million electric cars will need some 2.4 TWh. In Germany, 178 TWh is expected to be available from renewable resources.