The current partners in the H2 Mobility initiative – Linde, Air Liquide, Daimler, OMV, Shell and Total – have agreed on a plan to construct a hydrogen refuelling network across Germany for fuel cell-powered electric vehicles (EVs).

Under the plan, the present network of 15 filling stations in the country’s public hydrogen infrastructure will be expanded to around 400 H2 filling stations by 2023.

The initial plan is to install 100 hydrogen stations in Germany over the next four years to address the demand, which will be generated by new fuel cell-powered electric vehicles to be introduced into the market in the coming years.

Linde chief executive officer Wolfgang Reitzle said that the company has been a pioneer in the further development of hydrogen technology for many years.

"The present network of 15 filling stations in the country’s public hydrogen infrastructure will be expanded to around 400 H2 filling stations by 2023."

"Especially with respect to the series production of hydrogen refuelling stations, we have achieved major advances over the last few years.

"The time is now right to roll out this environmentally friendly technology on a nationwide basis," Reitzle added.

In addition to plans for a country-wide filling station network, the latest agreement between partners consists of the principles for the procurement and distribution of the necessary hydrogen and a request for support to the German Federal Government.

Following the establishment of a joint venture, which is subject to regulatory approvals, gradual expansion of the national filling station network will begin in 2014.

The plan aims to deliver a H2 station at least every 90km of motorway between densely populated areas, resulting in at least ten hydrogen refuelling stations available in each metropolitan area from 2023.

The H2 Mobility initiative estimates that a total investment of €350m will be needed for this future-oriented infrastructure project that delivers a significant reduction of CO2 emissions.