Chongqing- We all know that hydrogen and oxygen react chemically, releasing energy and producing water. However, Chongqing uses this chemical reaction to develop hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that emit only water.

Chongqing's solid industrial automobile chain, abundant application scenarios, and great natural gas resources are fertile for the hydrogen energy industry.

Chongqing-made hydrogen trucks highlighted at Winter Olympics

Qingling Motors received a thank-you note for supporting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with its fuel cell vehicle (FCV) M600 this March. In the letter, it was stated that Qingling's hydrogen fuel cell truck was a new highlight in logistics support for the Winter Olympics, integrating technology, low-carbon, and environmental concerns.

Luo Yuguang, general manager of Qingling Motors, said, "In 2018, Qingling Motors developed a hydrogen FCV industry strategy and partnered with Bosch to promote commercial FCVs. The product was ready for the market by August 2021." 

In September 2021, the first demonstration operation of the trunk line logistics of hydrogen energy vehicles in China was completed, connecting the Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor.

Earlier in 2009, Changan, another Chongqing carmaker, conducted hydrogen FCV research. With a range of 700 kilometers and a hydrogen refueling duration of three minutes, the Changan SL03 hydrogen-electric version was China's first mass-produced hydrogen passenger FCV.

SAIC Hongyan has also developed heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks, such as Genlyon, and established the first production base of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks in Inner Mongolia.

Chongqing has abundant application scenarios

 In April, Chongqing put the first batch of 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses into use in the Liangjiang New Area.

A hydrogen fuel cell bus refuels quickly, explained the manager of Chongqing City Transportation Development & Investment Group Co., Ltd. "For example, a natural gas bus requires 15 minutes to refuel, and an electric bus requires 90 minutes. However, a hydrogen fuel cell bus only requires 8 minutes."  

Zhang Lingli, a passenger on Line 892 of the hydrogen fuel cell bus. She said the hydrogen fuel cell bus runs smoothly, with little noise.

"Aside from having sufficient power and good shock absorption, the vehicle is relatively stable over potholes," said Hu Liang, the driver of Line 892.

Moreover, hydrogen fuel cell buses are also environmentally friendly with zero emissions - 0.14 kilograms of carbon dioxide per 100 kilometers are reduced compared to natural gas buses.

Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor

According to the Chengdu-Chongqing Hydrogen Corridor construction plan, the two cities will invest in 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell logistics vehicles by 2025.

A joint venture between Qingling Motors, Minsheng Logistics, Takitong Technology, and Bosch will invest in 300 hydrogen fuel cell trucks to serve the corridor for urban distribution and trunk logistics.

Chongqing also developed a platform for developing FCVs based on big data intelligence. For example, the Chongqing hydrogen FCVs comprehensive operation monitoring platform can assist the government in safety management and data collection and also help enterprises to manage hydrogen production plants, hydrogen refueling stations (HRS), and hydrogen FCVs.

The Abundant natural gas and shale gas resources in Chongqing laid a solid foundation for the development of the hydrogen energy industry development, according to an official from the Chongqing Municipal Economic and Information Technology Commission. "Meanwhile, many chemical enterprises in Changshou District and Fuling District have abundant by-product hydrogen and hydrogen purification systems." 

(Zhu Qinzhuo, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)