Urgent Call for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment in Europe by 2030
Key Ideas
- The International Platinum Group Metals Association urges EU policymakers to accelerate the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs) before 2030 to enhance Europe's competitiveness.
- Investing in FCEVs would help avoid supply chain bottlenecks for critical metals like copper, nickel, and lithium, and capitalize on existing local technology and supply chains, creating more jobs.
- The industry emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in the energy transition, supporting both FCEVs and BEVs to ensure sustainable development of clean hydrogen technologies and maintain confidence in the market.
- While BEVs have received significant public and policy support, the support for FCEVs is lacking, prompting the industry to call for urgent action to establish a level playing field for FCEV manufacturing and refuelling infrastructure.
The International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA) is advocating for the accelerated deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Europe, in collaboration with industry leaders Heraeus Precious Metals and Johnson Matthey. The call to action, outlined in their position paper 'Fuel Cell Vehicles to Boost European Competitiveness and the Green Deal,' aims to enhance Europe's competitive position by meeting the 2030 zero-emission vehicle goals and fostering a sustainable path to zero-emission mobility by 2050. The urgency stems from the skewed deployment focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs), necessitating a timely development of the FCEV market.
The paper identifies critical reasons for supporting FCEVs, including the risk of supply chain bottlenecks for metals like copper, nickel, and lithium if support remains solely on BEVs. Emphasizing the economic and strategic advantages, the industry highlights the importance of utilizing home-grown technology, creating local jobs, and ensuring a continued supply of iridium as a by-product of platinum mining.
Industry experts stress that a balanced approach, supporting both FCEVs and BEVs, is vital for sustainable development and market confidence. While acknowledging the cost implications of FCEV infrastructure, such as hydrogen refuelling stations, compared to BEVs, the long-term benefits and the need to avoid costly upgrades to the existing grid for BEVs are highlighted.
In conclusion, the industry calls for policymakers' support to establish parity between FCEVs and BEVs, advocating for a level playing field in manufacturing and refuelling infrastructure. The industry's proposal seeks to secure Europe's competitiveness, promote sustainable mobility, and ensure the optimal utilization of precious metals in the energy transition.