Since August, the first customers have been using 10 Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles as company cars, recharging at the South Tyrolean filling station.
The first hydrogen car journey from Munich to Bolzano has been completed. The trip was made by a customer who hired one of the 10 Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles made available by the Iit (Istituto per l'innovazione tecnologica) in Bolzano. The service has been active since last August, following the inauguration of Italy's first hydrogen filling station in June 2014.
The first ambassadors of fuel cell mobility are companies such as Despar, Loacker, Autostrada del Brennero, Fiera Bolzano and a number of private customers. In just over two months, all ten vehicles have covered 30,000 kilometres, primarily in South Tyrol. The station, located a short distance from the A22 motorway exit at Bolzano, has so far dispensed around 100 hydrogen refuels, enabling the cars to travel between 400 and 500 km on a single tank.
"It was a pleasure to try out a vehicle equipped with fuel cell technology, thanks to Iit," commented Fabio Da Col, commercial director of Fiera Bolzano. "The quietness of the electric motor and the driving comfort, combined with the acceleration performance, offer a whole new driving experience. I am confident that the new hydrogen technology will complement current technology as soon as possible, providing a concrete alternative for the motorists of today and tomorrow."
Hire prices are in line with those of a diesel vehicle in the same category, and in this case serve only to cover the costs of the project. The price does not include the cost of fuel, which is comparable to that of a diesel vehicle in the same category. Roadside assistance is also provided, 24/7, 365 days a year, guaranteed through a partnership with Aci Global. If you thought hydrogen mobility had been shelved somewhere, here is all the proof you need to the contrary.