The description of financing conditions for hydrogen refuelling station installation projects has been approved by Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis. Some time ago, Minister Skuodis also signed the Guidelines for the Development of the Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure and the Promotion of Hydrogen-powered Road Vehicles in Lithuania.
“The development of electromobility in Lithuania is already gaining momentum, and the time has come for the first serious steps to promote the use of green hydrogen produced from renewable energy resources in transport and the development of a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. This is the beginning of a new era in the Lithuanian transport sector, making it possible to choose from more alternatives”, says Minister Skuodis.
The first four hydrogen refuelling stations in Lithuania will be equipped in such a way as to accommodate both light and heavy vehicles, i.e., these stations will have 350 bar (H35) and 700 bar (H70) hydrogen fuelling capacity.
At present, a call has been officially announced for legal entities to apply by 18 July for a EUR 3.6 million subsidy for the installation of hydrogen refuelling stations. More information about the funding is available at: Installation of public hydrogen refuelling stations | 2021-2027 EU investment website.
The Guidelines for the Development of the Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure and the Promotion of Hydrogen-powered Road Vehicles in Lithuania approved by the Minister of Transport and Communications not long ago set out the targets and measures for ensuring the development of the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and encouraging the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the country over the next seven years, i.e., 2023-2030. These targets and measures had not previously been defined in any Lithuanian legislation or other documents.
The guidelines also aim to ensure compliance with the European Union requirements for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, i.e., to create a broad network of alternative fuels throughout the European Union by 31 December 2030, including hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
The target set by the Ministry of Transport and Communications is to install at least 10 public and private hydrogen refuelling stations by 2030. It is predicted that a network of 3,500 hydrogen refuelling stations will be operating throughout the European Union by that time.
There is currently one hydrogen-powered car registered in Lithuania. Efforts are being made to ensure that by 2030, approximately five per cent of all new vehicles purchased are powered by this alternative fuel. Additional funds from the RRF and the European Union are planned for this, and invitations to purchase vehicles with financing are expected to be announced this year.
It is predicted that some 3.7 million light vehicles and 45,000 heavy vehicles (including buses) powered by hydrogen will be deployed in Europe by 2030.
In addition to the financial incentive, there will be other benefits as well. For example, in order to encourage the business sector to use greener transport, electric and hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles (N1) will be exempt from road tax as of July 2023, and will be eligible for a 75 per cent reduction in road tax starting in 2026.
Potential for hydrogen use is seen in public transport as well as long distance heavy transport, i.e., buses and lorries.
