Estonia has purchased 30 state-funded light taxis with hydrogen engines, but only a third of them are being used – the planned opening of the fueling station has been delayed, writes ERR News.
A hydrogen fueling station in Tallinn has become something of a roadside attraction. Its pumps “pour” hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bars, but they are not yet in use, because the company that manages the fueling station, Alexela, is still waiting for a permit from the city. Company representative Artur Dianov said that the delay was caused by several circumstances, but the most important thing to remember is that this is an innovation project, and learning is a process. He added that technically everything is in order at the station.
Toyota’s hydrogen-powered cars were ready to hit the streets in January. Instead of harmful emissions, these cars emit only water vapor. However, only ten of the eco-friendly cars are currently in use. Bolt Ride representative Oscar Rõõm said the company is slowly moving forward and is training new drivers who want to try out the new cars.
Currently, hydrogen for cars is only available from the Utilitas power plant. The first hydrogen fueling station opened in September, but it is mainly intended for heavy vehicles, which means that the Toyota Mirai can only be filled to half its capacity. One of the drivers who drives a Bolt hydrogen-powered car said that it is not convenient for taxi work. He managed to drive a maximum of 367 kilometers in economy mode. Then there is still a reserve of 60 kilometers, and five kilometers can be driven using the battery.
The cars were purchased and
both the Alexela fueling station and the Utilitas factory were built using European Union funds.
The entire project chain is currently being designed to accumulate knowledge in case the technology is successful. However, the Deputy Secretary General of the Estonian Ministry of Climate, Jaanus Uiga, pointed out that it is difficult to predict how successful hydrogen-powered cars will be in the private vehicle sector. Much will depend on how much hydrogen refueling will cost, and what models will be available and at what price.
At the Alexela fueling station, a kilogram of hydrogen costs 14 euros. Each kilometer traveled costs about the same as driving an internal combustion engine car, but significantly more than traveling in an electric car that is charged at times when the electricity exchange price is most favorable.
Tarmo Tähepõld, editor-in-chief of the magazine Autoleht, pointed out that all hopes are for hydrogen to be produced more, and unused renewable energy to be stored as hydrogen, which is currently still very expensive. “No one says it out loud, but it could also help free us from China’s near-monopoly on battery production and materials.
If we had an alternative vehicle type that doesn’t rely on batteries, that would be a big win
and green hydrogen doesn’t have to be made in China,” Tähepõld said.
Currently, procurement procedures are underway for the construction of state-funded hydrogen fueling stations in Pärnu and Tartu.
Tähepõld added that there is no point in creating a “hydrogen island,” and we need to see what is happening elsewhere in the Baltics. The European Union is planning to create a “hydrogen corridor” with fueling stations every 200 kilometers: “If Estonia wants to be part of that, we have to drive development forward. Otherwise, we will end up in a situation where others have gone further and we are left behind again.” The journalist added that someone will have to take responsibility in any case, and in any case, someone will be blamed for what was done or not done.
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