Austrian oil and gas company OMV has announced that it has opened the country's first hydrogen-based fuel service station, declaring that the move illustrates the company's drive towards sustainable energy and an emission-free future. The company said it had been researching the potential of the fuel for several years before it opened the station.
"Eco-innovations emphasises the benefits of the technology for Austria," stated Dr Reinhold Mitterlehner, Austria's Federal Minister for Economy and Energy. "The increased use of hydrogen improves transport's carbon footprint and at the same time supports the structural change in the automotive sector."
OMV chief executive Gerhard Roiss said that the opening represents a significant step into the future, away from fossil fuels. "For over 50 years we have been filling our cars with litres. In the future, we will fill them with kilos. With only four kilos of hydrogen a car can drive around 400 kilometres. The hydrogen era begins today." Roiss added that the station's opening will allow Austria to build bridges with Europe, and allow them to reach their climate change targets.
Car manufacturer Daimler, which also manufactured the hydrogen fuel cells, gave its backing to OMV's vision.
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