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24. February 2021The energy company OMV and the Austrian Post agree on a collaboration for the development of production, infrastructure, and integration into the existing fleet for CO2 reduction. The intention for an initial deployment in Austria is set for no later than 2023. By 2030, they aim to have 2,000 fuel cell trucks in operation, powered by green hydrogen.
(Vienna) OMV, the integrated international oil, gas, and chemical company based in Vienna, and Österreichische Post AG, the leading transport and logistics service provider in the country, have signed a joint declaration of intent for the use of green hydrogen in heavy-duty transport.
The common goal is to advance and make commercial electromobility for heavy-duty transport in the field of hydrogen fuel cells available in Austria. OMV, together with partners, is committed to providing green hydrogen and the necessary infrastructure, and has recently made an investment decision for a 10 MW electrolysis plant at the Schwechat site in collaboration with Kommunalkredit Austria.
Open to Further Cooperation
The Post intends to deploy test vehicles and integrate them into the existing logistics fleet. Both companies aim to gain experience in operating the hydrogen supply chain and fleet. OMV and the Post plan an initial deployment in Austria by no later than 2023. This initiative is open to further cooperation with interested companies in the hydrogen sector. Together, OMV and the Post are laying the foundation for a total of 2,000 fuel cell trucks to be operated by various users in Austria by 2030.
“Hydrogen is a key technology for CO2 reduction and achieving climate goals – in industry as well as in mobility. We see significant potential, especially in freight and public transport, where electrification is often challenging or even impossible. With the recent investment decision for a 10 MW electrolysis plant at the Schwechat site, we have laid the groundwork for hydrogen mobility. We are now looking forward to further developing economically viable solutions for hydrogen utilization and CO2 reduction together with the Post,” says Thomas Gangl, OMV Chief Downstream Operations Officer.
(l.r.): DI Thomas Gangl, Chief Downstream Operations Officer, OMV AG, and DI Peter Umundum, Board Member for Parcel & Logistics, Österreichische Post AG
Exclusively Green Hydrogen
“With this partnership, we are taking an important first step towards introducing and pursuing electromobility through hydrogen fuel cells. Only green hydrogen will be used. This brings us significantly closer to our goal of soon putting the first hydrogen-powered Post truck into operation. With the approximately 2,100 electric vehicles we already have in daily use, we are pioneers in the green logistics of tomorrow,” explains DI Peter Umundum, Board Member for Parcel & Logistics of Österreichische Post.
OMV and the Post have set ambitious climate goals and support the Paris Climate Agreement. OMV is working on energy efficiency measures, new technologies such as CO2 capture and utilization, hydrogen, as well as renewable energies (like the photovoltaic system in Austria) and measures for portfolio optimization.
Already the Largest E-Fleet
Österreichische Post already operates the largest e-fleet in the country, generating the electricity for operations through photovoltaic systems on the roofs of its logistics sites. As a member of the EV100 initiative, it has committed to transitioning the last mile to electromobility or alternative drives by 2030. Since 2011, the Post has been delivering all letters, advertising mail, and packages CO2-neutral, with the goal of achieving 100% CO2-free delivery by 2030.
For the successful implementation of these sustainable and innovative technologies, an incentive system through Austrian and European legal regulations is necessary to enable the development towards economic viability.
Photo: © Österreichische Post
