Hydrogen infrastructure investment urgently requires encouragement from governments and the EU, asserts Johnson Matthey.
Johnson Matthey Leads Hydrogen Mobility Innovation
Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technologies, is driving innovation in the hydrogen mobility sector. With over 200 years of experience, the company is committed to a zero-emission future.
The company's strategic technology director for Fuel Cell, Mike Petch, emphasizes the importance of refuelling stations for the mass adoption of green hydrogen vehicles. He believes that these stations will play a crucial role in overcoming the current major obstacle to the adoption of fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) in Europe – the lack of refuelling infrastructure.
Johnson Matthey is actively involved in the Global Hydrogen Mobility Coalition, an international initiative that advocates for a phased strategy in the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure. The Coalition proposes starting with heavy-duty vehicles, such as lorries and buses, to establish a base load for hydrogen refuelling stations. Once a base load is established, the enabled infrastructure is expected to facilitate the adoption of light-duty vehicles, allowing the private car market to expand from an already established and functional network.
Johnson Matthey develops innovative technologies such as cell reversal tolerance, which mitigates fuel cell degradation under adverse conditions. The company is also involved in the development of advanced catalyst technology, made from platinum group metals, which enables emission control solutions and optimises chemical processes.
The company advocates for a mechanism to sell surplus hydrogen and introduce it into the natural gas system. This could help to make hydrogen more accessible and economically viable. Johnson Matthey also promotes sustainable mobility by developing CO2-reducing manufacturing processes, providing advanced materials like ruthenium for EV batteries and fuel cells, and collaborating on green energy solutions including renewable electricity for battery production and hydrogen fuel projects.
The European Commission has allocated funds through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), with 33 million euros committed in the latest funding round. The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets binding targets for the implementation of refuelling stations across Europe by 2030. Johnson Matthey advocates for stimulating investment in refuelling stations to make them economically sustainable.
In addition, CharIN and EMVCo have initiated a joint project to make EV charging simple and reliable. They are discussing how EMV-based payments can work alongside ISO 15118 Plug & Charge systems in an open, secure, and interoperable way.
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Johnson Matthey remains optimistic about green hydrogen initiatives but highlights the need for hydrogen generation, not just refuelling stations. Stations will not be commercially viable until there are enough vehicles on the roads. The company's work in developing advanced technologies, advocating for policy changes, and collaborating with industry partners demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable and hydrogen-powered future.
