British multinational mining company Anglo American announced on Thursday that H2 Moves Berlin, its platinum-enabled hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) fleet project, has driven more than one million zero emission kilometers by providing over 100,000 customer journeys.
H2 Moves Berlin, a two-year pilot project by Anglo American, Toyota Germany, and taxi operator SafeDriver Group-ENNOO, is Germany's largest FCEV fleet.
First launched at the end of last year, the project forms part of Anglo American's strategy to help accelerate zero emission transport through the deployment of platinum-enabled hydrogen FCEVs.
With 115 Toyota Mirai vehicles already in operation, H2 Moves Berlin is utilizing Berlin's current hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the Uber ride-hailing platform.
The fleet plans to grow to as many as 200 vehicles in the upcoming months.
The use of platinum in FCEVs, as well as the predicted increase in vehicles using fuel cell technology, is expected to lead to an increase in demand for platinum in the automotive industry.
Platinum functions as a catalyst, one of the most effective and durable, in a fuel cell to produce electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. This is then used to fuel a FCEV's motor, which can be refueled in five minutes with ranges up to 650 kilometers and is similar to using a petrol or diesel vehicle but with zero emissions.
'Hydrogen fuel cells are a critical technology for zero emission electric vehicles and are expected to play an important role in the mix of clean drivetrain technologies needed to effectively and rapidly drive the decarbonization of all forms of transport,' Benny Oeyen, the executive head of market development at Anglo American, was quoted as saying in the statement.
'As a leading producer of the platinum needed for fuel cell technology, we have been an early supporter of the potential for a hydrogen economy and will continue to actively support the emerging ecosystem of hydrogen-powered transport in Germany, and beyond,' he added.
In addition to its current initiatives in Berlin, Anglo American is currently looking at potential locations for the deployment of light-duty FCEVs in the US, China and Europe.
By Duygu Alhan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr