As of March 2025, Edison has proposed a significant public incentive worth 100 million euros aimed at facilitating the integration of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles in Italy. This move seeks to establish a fleet of 400-450 hydrogen vehicles, a step necessary for creating demand supportive of hydrogen refueling stations funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan PNRR.
During the ‘Varese hydrogen ecosystem: expanding opportunities and boosting synergies’ conference, Lavinia Biffi of Edison’s Hydrogen Directorate outlined the strategic blueprint. Emphasizing multi-level collaborations, Edison is spearheading the construction of several hydrogen refueling stations in Northern Italy, particularly highlighting advances in sites like Piacenza and Malpensa Cargo City. The Piacenza facility, operational with funding of 1.8 million euros from PNRR, features a 1 MW electrolyzer and storage tanks accommodating pressures from 30 to 900 bar. This site is positioned to spearhead local hydrogen distribution networks.
Edison acknowledges the economic challenges inherent in hydrogen adoption. Biffi advocates for substantial incentives to alleviate the high acquisition costs of hydrogen vehicles, which currently exceed those of traditional diesel or electric models significantly. The proposed 100 million euro fund aims to underwrite 80% of vehicle costs: up to 400,000 euros for heavy-duty trucks and 100,000 euros for lighter commercial vans.
Two incentive strategies are tabled — the first directly subsidizes hydrogen vehicle purchases, facilitating the procurement of 200 large trucks and 200 vans, essential for initiating project viability. The second focuses on reducing the cost differential between hydrogen and conventional vehicles, potentially increasing the accessible vehicle pool to 500.
Project updates at the conference also shed light on TH2ICINO and potential vehicle conversions spearheaded by actors like ENEA and ATENA, enhancing hydrogen usage. Additionally, engineering experts, including Enrico Malfa of Tenova and Giulia Ferri of Snam, introduced the HyTecHeat project under Horizon Europe, leveraging hydrogen in industrial steel production processes.
The discussion underscored the concerted effort required across multiple sectors to advance hydrogen infrastructure. Through strategic allocation of resources and incentivizing technology adoption, initiatives like Edison’s proposal aim to establish a scalable blueprint for hydrogen’s role in transportation, fostering an environment conducive to investment and sustainable development.
