Hungary opened its first hydrogen refuelling station last week. The station, operated by Linde Gáz Magyarország Zrt., allows users to fill up with up to 4,000 kilograms of hydrogen after pre-registration. Although the refuelling station is accessible to the public, users are required to secure their slot by booking the service in advance.
The opening event coincided with the Hydrogen Open 2024 conference organised by the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association. At the event, major players in the Hungarian transport sector – Hungarian oil company Mol, state railway operator MÁV, state public transport operator Volánbusz and logistics and transport service provider Waberer’s – signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The aim is to promote the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell transport throughout the country.
Mol outlined its strategic goal to drive the green energy transition in the East-Central European region. The company aims to make the operations of both industrial players and the mobility sector sustainable by leveraging alternative energy sources.
Under the strategic cooperation, the four companies involved are coordinating development plans and jointly conceptualizing the expansion of hydrogen fuel cell transport and related infrastructure. They intend to seek EU and domestic government funds to support their coordinated project proposals for the development of hydrogen mobility.
MOL COO György Bacsa also revealed that the Danube Refinery in Száhahalombatta will produce 1,600 tonnes of carbon-neutral hydrogen from renewable electricity from 2024.
Zsolt Barna, President and CEO of Waberer’s International Nyrt., was optimistic about the potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles as a no-compromise alternative to traditional diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles. He expects Waberer’s most advanced fuel cell vehicles to be on Hungarian roads within the next two years.