In a significant stride towards greener mobility, German energy company EWE has taken delivery of five Vivaro-e Hydrogen transport vehicles from the Rüsselsheim-based automaker Opel.
This event took place at the EWE gas storage site in Huntorf, with Jean-Michel Billig, Chief Technology Officer for the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at Stellantis, presiding over the official handover.
EWE’s Commitment to Climate-Neutral Mobility
“EWE has set the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2035, and is contributing to this goal through the electrification of its fleet, which already includes battery-electric vehicles,” says Torsten Maus, Managing Director at EWE NETZ. With these new additions, EWE NETZ becomes one of the first companies in Lower Saxony to leverage hydrogen-based electric drives for mobility.
According to Dr. Urban Keussen, EWE’s Chief Technology Officer, the company’s use of hydrogen vehicles underlines its comprehensive involvement in hydrogen activities across the entire value chain. As a part of the IPCEI Clean-Hydrogen Coastline project, EWE is pursuing various projects related to the production, storage, transport, and application of hydrogen, including its use in the transport sector.
The Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen Advantage
Jean-Michel Billig praised EWE’s acquisition of the Opel Vivaro-e Hydrogen vehicles, stating, “We are the first car manufacturer with a hydrogen transporter on the European market. The Vivaro-e HYDROGEN combines the advantages of locally emission-free operation with a long-range and short refueling time – perfect for the fleet.”
He underscored the importance of a symbiotic relationship between the mobility and energy transitions. EWE supplies its customers with sustainable electricity, and Stellantis, with its 14 brands including Opel, Citroen, Peugeot, Jeep, and Chrysler, provides suitable, everyday-use vehicles, aiding the development towards a CO2-free economy.
Lower Saxony Leads the Mobility Revolution
Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies, emphasized the interlinking of economic transformation, energy transition, and mobility transition. He asserted that the northern region is ideally positioned to capitalize on this shift.
As pioneers in transitioning vehicle fleets to eco-friendly, electric drives, initiatives like EWE’s not only demonstrate how clean mobility functions in daily life but also communicate this success story to the wider public. Indeed, the future of mobility is electric, and EWE’s leap into hydrogen transport marks a significant milestone in this journey.
