End of hydrogen dreams: Hype changes to electric taxis in Paris!

End of hydrogen dreams: Hype changes to electric taxis in Paris!

Paris, Frankreich - worldwide, hydrogen mobility is currently under pressure, which is reflected in the reporting and developments on the market. Numerous media address the difficulties of hydrogen technology, while optimistic forecasts are increasingly being overlaid by negative news. In particular, the Hype company, which has been working in the area of ​​hydrogen taxis in Paris since 2015, has recently been carried out by a fundamental turnaround. In the course of high costs and infrastructural challenges, Hype has decided to switch completely to battery-electric taxis (BEV) instead of continuing to rely on hydrogen vehicles. According to Oekonews, the original plan was to grow on a fleet of 600 hydrogen taxis by 2020, especially due to the bankruptcy of the electrolyser McPphy in danger of what was valid 6 Could cost millions of euros.

Another aspect that led to this change is the increase in hydrogen prices that have been recorded since 2021. Hype criticizes large companies such as Air Liquide and total energy that have built up an oligopoly control on the market and make it difficult to access green hydrogen. In the Île-de-France region, a realistic path to sustainable hydrogen is currently not in sight, which also contains the plans of hype. In a comment on this situation, the company showed that other providers, such as the Joint Venture Hysetco, had doubled prices for non-green hydrogen, which continued to raise the cost of hype. These developments have raised doubts about the future of hydrogen mobility, especially in a climate that is characterized by more critical reports.

The challenge of hydrogen infrastructure

The difficulties with which hype is faced with are part of a major problem in the hydrogen economy. The [Fraunhofer ISE] (https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/de/schafaeftsfelder/krydolztechnologies/elektrolysis-und-kropf-und-von-von-kropf- von-kryfstructure-und-elektrolysuren.html) emphasizes that the surge of this technology not only presents the manufacturers of electrolysurs in front of challenges, but also Infrastructure operator and hydrogen producer. Essential questions concern feasibility, cost efficiency and logistics. Companies often have to create feasibility studies for electrolysis systems and hydrogen filling stations in order to evaluate the economy of their concepts. The development of customer -specific solutions is of essential importance.

The uncertainty regarding the availability and costs of hydrogen not only affects existing projects, but also on future developments in the industry. Hype has indicated that in addition to switching to BEV taxis, the expansion of hydrogen is also planned in the buses and special vehicles. Nevertheless, the focus remains on a complete changeover of all taxis in the region to zero emissions by 2030. This step shows that the industry is ready to adapt to the current circumstances, even if trust in hydrogen technology has been shaken due to recent developments.