One of the favorite projects of ex-federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is now bursting with the OMV: After the public hydrogen petrol station is closed in Vienna, the OMV now also announces the closure of the other left-wing four public hydrogen soils in Austria.
Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wanted to prefer hydrogen technology about six years ago, with the aim of saving the climate. But the OMV, which is the only company in Germany, now operates hydrogen filling stations, is now pulling the ripcord: due to the lack of demand, it gradually closes all locations to Vienna:
- AST will be closed on June 30, 2025
- Wr. Neudorf and Graz are closed on August 31, 2025
- Innsbruck will be closed on September 30, 2025.
Fewer than 70 cars in the streets of Austria
The reason is that the investments for the OMV have not paid off and that the operating costs for the operation of the hydrogen filling stations were high-it was a loss transaction. Because the Austrians barely bought and used hydrogen cars. According to Statistics Austria, only 62 of such vehicles were on our roads – 48 of the Hyundai brand, 13 from Toyota and one of VW. Of these, only five cars from private owners and 57 were to companies. The cars were just too expensive for buyers and even the few OMV petrol stations were too few for national tank options.
This puts an end to the hope for hydrogen technology in Austria, because “we were the only ones who offered hydrogen petrol stations,” says OMV spokeswoman Nicole Kelttscha. Because of the low demand, “the economic step must be understood because the market has not taken up technology”. Nache: “Our focus is on e-mobility!”
Owners can now delete their vehicles
What does this mean for the few owners of hydrogen cars? In principle, nothing but scrape your cars because you can no longer refuel them.
For Stephan Schwarzer, director of Efuel Alliance, the step of the OMV is understandable: “This is logical: if there are no cars on the street, who have to charge their hydrogen? I never understood the initiative of ex-KanSelier at that time.” Because for the production of hydrogen you need a high level of electricity and the hydrogen itself is difficult to store and too remarkable, you need your own infrastructure for gas stations. Moreover, the fuel is very volatile and difficult to handle, especially in the case of passenger cars.
Is the subject of hydrogen car dead? Schwarzer: “At the moment it is ready. Hydrogen is still a big unknown.” It can be used in the truck area in the future, but also with a question mark. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is already used in the industry.
Black propagates Efuels
Blacks, on the other hand, propagates the development of e-fuel. These are also produced from hydrogen, but then brought into a drunken shape so that they are mixed in conventional fuel or can completely replace it. A new infrastructure for gas station is not required. Schwarzer: “I don’t need my own tankers, etc.”
Of course it also requires high electricity use for Efuels. Schwarzer: “That is why the facilities are being built in countries with a lot of wind and sun, in South America, Africa and Australia, in coastal and desert areas. There are so much potential that is currently fallow. The first projects are already under construction and can still deliver the market before 2030.” Big advantage: “This protects the climate. A lot of Efuel means a lot less oil! You could easily deliver the whole world.”
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
