HERNING: Everfuel A/S announced the company’s H2 station roll-out plan for southern Norway with an ambition of having up to 15 strategically positioned fueling sites for zero-emission transport of goods and people operational by end of 2023.

The plan is part of the Everfuel’s Scandinavian green hydrogen fueling strategy for trucks, buses and cars connecting the main traffic corridors in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Everfuel plans to develop the Norwegian H2 station network in close cooperation with professional transport sector customers, central and local authorities and relevant public funding programs supporting energy transition and green technology development. It will initially cover Norway south of Trondheim and connect with Everfuel’s H2 stations in Sweden and Denmark.

“Everfuel is committed to integrating and optimizing the green hydrogen value chain at scale for zero emission mobility in Europe. We are taking the lead in connecting safe hydrogen production, distribution and fueling for end-customers in our Scandinavian home market. This puts Everfuel at the forefront of the green transition, but it will require substantial capital investment, partnerships with end-users and vehicle providers, and public financial backing”, says Jacob Krogsgaard, the CEO and founder of Everfuel.

Development of the Norwegian H2 station network is part of Everfuel’s Ramp-up phase of the announced plan to invest EUR 1.5 billion in developing the green hydrogen value chain in Europe and reach EUR 1 billion of revenue from sale of hydrogen fuel to buses, trucks and cars before 2030. Large-scale hydrogen fueling networks are required for the EU and Norway to meet their climate targets.

Norway’s Institute of Transport Economics TØI has estimated a national requirement for 3,000 hydrogen buses and 7,000 heavy-duty trucks by 2030 to achieve targeted reductions to carbon emissions. Everfuel is already in close dialogue with major transport and logistic companies seeking to reduce the footprint of their operations.

“A massive effort is underway to innovate, pursue scale effects and drive down costs across the hydrogen value chain and for the end-user vehicles. With the collective support from governments worldwide this will soon create a self -sustained profitable industry with hydrogen trucks and buses outperforming today’s fossil technology”, adds Jacob Krogsgaard.

Everfuel has mapped out the planned H2 station sites in Norway and will now accelerate end-customer dialogues to finalize the roll-out plan and optimize locations based on customer needs and in close cooperation with local authorities. This will form the basis for securing sites, land-permitting applications and engaging with public funding programs.

Currently, Everfuel is planning to open one H2 station at Hvam by end of April and one in Åsane outside Bergen in July 2021, both serving private vehicles.

The openings have been subject to delays due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and slower-than-expected station approval by authorities. A large H2 station serving both heavy duty trucks and small cars is scheduled to open at Alna in Oslo in July 2022.

Everfuel is also planning to start filling smaller cars at the Alna site already from the third quarter of 2021 using a mobile fueling unit. The next 12-15 sites are planned to be built successively towards the end of 2023.

“These sites are only a starting point for connecting Norway’s biggest cities and meeting demand from professional customers with large vehicle fleets. As the volume grows, we intend to expand the H2 station network. This is also important to meet future international demand as hydrogen is expected to replace fossil fuel on a massive scale and transporters and tourists heading here will require hydrogen when arriving”, says Helge Skaarberg Holen, Business Development Manager for Everfuel in Norway.

“It is really exciting to finally launch concrete plans so that the trucking companies, bus operators and taxi owners can negotiate and confirm vehicle orders and Enova can see the whole industry off to a strong start with their support”, Skaarberg Holen adds.

Everfuel is making green hydrogen for zero emission mobility commercially available across Europe, offering competitive all-inclusive hydrogen supply- and fueling solutions. www.everfuel.com