– Introduced hydrogen sports car MH2 in Slovakia Pavilion at Dubai Expo
– Hydrogen fuel cells with high energy storage density are advantageous in large-scale transportation, and hydrogen infrastructure is expected to spread
The Slovakia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai unveiled the first hydrogen car in Slovakia. The vehicle is an 'aerodynamic sports car' that emits 'harmless exhaust', reports the United Arab Emirates (WAM). The MH2 hydrogen car was designed by Slovakian designer Branislav Mauks, who has contributed to the design of Ferrari models since 2008.
The hydrogen car was unveiled at an event attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of International Cooperation and Secretary-General of Expo 2020 Dubai. The event was attended by Slovakia Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik, Transport and Construction Minister Andrej Dolezal, and Slovakia Pavilion 2020 Dubai Expo Secretary General.
The MH2 has a 'unique and functional design' and can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in 4 seconds. According to information shared on the Slovakia Expo 2020 Instagram page, the maximum speed of the hydrogen car is about 250 km/h.
<MH2 hydrogen sports car at the Slovakia Pavilion at the Dubai Expo>
Electric vehicles in Slovakia
Electric vehicles are not very popular in Slovakia. As of 2020, only 918 units were sold. According to the Automobile Manufacturers Association (ZAP) data, it is 2020% as of 1.2. On the other hand, gasoline vehicles account for about half of the total registrations in the first half of 2021, and diesel vehicles account for 25%.
As of the first half of 2021, Volkswagen ranked first in sales with 1 units, followed by Skoda with 81 units and Kia with 54 units. A total of 48 different brands of electric vehicles were sold in Slovakia during the monitoring period. According to the European Commission's Pitfor17 policy, sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines will be banned after 55, so electric vehicle sales are expected to increase year after year.
Hydrogen in Slovakia
The era of fossil fuels is coming to an end. Automakers prefer electric vehicles, which are eco-friendly transportation vehicles, but there is another solution with great potential: hydrogen. We interviewed Dr. Pavol Šutor of the Technological Institute of Renewable Energy Sources on the topic of the future and the application of hydrogen in the automotive and transportation industries.
Q1: The automobile industry is undergoing electrification. Most major manufacturers are starting to pay special attention to electric vehicles and hydrogen. What is the potential of hydrogen?
A1: We need to look at the whole topic on a larger scale. It is true that electric vehicles are presented as an ecological alternative today. Behind it, there is a lack of know-how in producing hydrogen cars rather than electric vehicles, along with a positive perception of e-mobility. This lack of know-how creates misunderstandings about hydrogen cars.
This is a logical conclusion as the market for electric vehicles replacing fossil fuels is the largest market today. However, at the time when e-mobility develops and reaches a certain stage, the development trend in the market will continue, and I think there will come a time when a car powered by cleaner energy is needed. There is a target group of drivers for whom electric vehicles are not suitable, but there are no special alternatives to electric vehicles as of yet.
Let's take the charging problem as an example. In Petržalka (a district in the Slovakian capital), what if you could get hydrogen propulsion by refueling once a month instead of having to recharge your electric car every day in your apartment parking lot? If you are a business traveler and drive thousands of kilometers a month, you are probably looking for a hydrogen solution.
Simply put, despite the rapid construction of the charging infrastructure, there will be people who have difficult or complicated access to charging stations. For example, such restrictions can be the beginning of hydrogen cars, as there are limits to building charging stations in densely populated areas due to the scale of the electric network and system.
Thus, there is clearly room for alternatives to direct e-mobility, and for this to be possible, acceptable and sustainable solutions must be green. Green hydrogen made from renewable sources meets these requirements.
In addition, automakers such as Hyundai and Toyota are being added, and hydrogen is recognized as a strong alternative. Hydrogen will not completely replace e-mobility, but hydrogen cars are more attractive than electric vehicles in certain areas.
Q2: Electric vehicles can be more inconvenient than ordinary drivers expect. On the other hand, how do hydrogen cars fill up with fuel and what can be inconvenient?
A2: It is well known that hydrogen cars are actually electric vehicles with much smaller batteries and hydrogen gas tanks. In terms of driving characteristics, there are many differences from electric vehicles. An important difference is long-distance driving and fast refueling. On the other hand, building a supply infrastructure to replenish hydrogen fuel is a problem that needs to be solved.
Q3: Will hydrogen have a chance to overtake electric vehicles in passenger transport?
A3: To be honest, I don't think hydrogen cars overtake electric cars when it comes to passenger transport. But I think the final destination for the environment will be a hydrogen car. In addition, hydrogen cars have strengths in large segments such as long-distance driving, short refueling, and trucking, which are difficult to realize with battery electric vehicles. Car manufacturers today offer several models of hydrogen cars that are commercially available. The question therefore lies in the refueling infrastructure, in particular the availability of green hydrogen, and the supporting mechanisms to bring hydrogen cars into real life. The European Union and Slovakia are preparing for this change.
Q4: In Slovakia, hydrogen for vehicles is not yet ready, there is a lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, and there are also insufficient hydrogen models available. However, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has made it clear that hydrogen is important in the future. If you could compare the hydrogen consumption of passenger cars and cargo, which case makes more sense?
A4: The research team has attempted to build the first hydrogen charging station in the past, but there are no charging stations in Slovakia yet. However, in 2022, according to the demand from the Ministry of Economy and SIEA, it plans to operate two hydrogen charging stations that can supply hydrogen cars and buses. I see direction and progress positively, so I expect an increase in specific watering points and the emergence of hydrogen charging infrastructure over the next few years. It is necessary to amend the law, set up support programs and find service providers who will address where and how hydrogen will be produced, how and where it will be imported into Slovakia and how it will be transported to gas stations. I personally welcome different types of cars, and automakers are announcing new models, so you'll probably have a choice based on that.
Hydrogen is more suitable for heavy truck, rail, bus and air transport. As with battery power, it has a higher energy storage density per unit weight. Batteries can also be used in this type of transportation, but they occupy a large volume and are difficult to put into practical use. Therefore, in the field of large-scale transportation, priority is given to pilot-type hydrogen transportation projects.
Q5: The centralized hydrogen refueling station infrastructure is also having a major impact on the situation. Can hydrogen refueling be done at regular gas stations?
A5: It is logical and natural to gradually add hydrogen to an existing gas station. In Slovakia, the relevant laws are likely to change. However, it may be difficult for all gas stations to switch to hydrogen even if the law is adjusted. This is because a specific electrical input must be secured during the water electrolysis process. This means that many parts of the gas station will have to be retrofitted. However, many gas station operators want to provide service within the next 15 years.
implication
Two aspects stand out in Slovakia. In order to adapt to European environmental regulations, finished vehicle OEMs such as VW, KIA, STELLANTIS, and J&R have started to increase the production of electric vehicles, and the Slovak government and SIEA are working to build a hydrogen infrastructure. It is expected that the passenger car and large car market will be divided into electric battery car and hydrogen fuel cell car market. For related information, please contact the KOTRA Bratislava Trade Office.
Source: CARWOW, FONTECH, SPECTATOR, KOTRA Bratislava Trade Center