|
Wolfsburg/Berlin, July 13, 2006 – Volkswagen AG has joined the Clean
Energy Partnership. The world’s most versatile hydrogen demonstration project
for emissionfree mobility with two service stations in Berlin thus welcomes a
further partner and now includes 11 companies and 17 hydrogen vehicles.
“For us, joining the CEP is a logical and important step towards the future.
Our commitment further underlines our support for sustainable mobility and, at
the same time, provides us with important application-related information from
the demonstration project.” said Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Head of Group
Research at Volkswagen AG. Volkswagen is conducting intensive research into
hydrogen and fuel cells in the context of its fuel and power train strategy.
Volkswagen brings a VW Touran HyMotion to the CEP passenger car fleet. The
vehicle was developed at the Volkswagen Technology Center in Isenbüttel and
initially underwent intensive practical testing in the USA. The tests in Berlin
represent the vehicle’s premiere in Germany.
“We expressly welcome the decision by Volkswagen AG to join the Clean Energy
Partnership. Together with the recent participation of TOTAL, this confirms that
CEP is on track for becoming the most significant European project for
hydrogen-based mobility. We look forward to cooperating with a total of five
automakers and welcome the further expansion of CEP’s competence in the field of
hydrogen as the fuel of the future” said Dr. Klaus Bonhoff (DaimlerChrysler),
Head of CEP’s Steering Committee.
The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs also expressly
welcomed the commitment of a further automaker to CEP. CEP is a component of the
national sustainability program and is sponsored by the Ministry as one of the
leading innovation projects for emission-free mobility. With its versatility,
CEP also creates the optimum basis for the lighthouse projects planned under the
“National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Program”.
The Clean Energy Partnership
Since November 2004, the opening date
for the first CEP hydrogen service station at the Messedamm in Berlin, the CEP
demonstration project has been carrying out sophisticated everyday operations
without problems. A great deal of progress has been made since then. The
experience of customers, technicians and operators will be evaluated in 2007 and
presented to the public.
The Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) is an international association of the
following companies: Aral/BP, BMW, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG),
DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM/Opel, Hydro, Linde, TOTAL, Vattenfall Europe and
Volkswagen AG. Its goal is to tap the technological potential of hydrogen as a
source of energy, conducting tests with a view to suitability for routine use
and system capability. The Clean Energy Partnership initially runs until
December 2007.
Note: Photos are available from our press database at www.volkswagen-media-services.com,
user: cep, password: hymotion
Other links: www.volkswagen-nachhaltigkeit.de;
www.volkswagen-umwelt.de
|
