Green hydrogen can be used to drive vehicles in a climate-neutral way, but tax regulations are hindering the use of the hydrogen combustion engine. 37 organizations are now calling for a remedy.

Hydrogen can be used to power motor vehicles in two ways - either in the fuel cell or directly in the hydrogen engine. Until now, both options have been used, but treated differently in terms of taxation. This unequal treatment distorts competition and causes concrete problems in the use of the hydrogen engine. 37 organizations are now jointly calling for a remedy.

In fact, hydrogen for fuel cells is currently exempt from energy tax, but hydrogen for hydrogen engines is subject to taxation. This different treatment for two valid technology paths for commercial vehicles classified as zero emission in the EU CO2 fleet regulation is not justified. In practice, it leads to hydrogen filling stations excluding the hydrogen engine from refueling out of fiscal caution.

The signatories therefore call on federal politicians to support the incipient market launch of the hydrogen engine by exempting it from energy tax and notifying the EU Commission accordingly. According to the signatories, the effects of a positive trend in the hydrogen engine go far beyond the technology itself: the hydrogen engine can significantly accelerate the use of hydrogen in transport and also provide a positive impetus towards a hydrogen economy. A gradual transition from fossil-based to green hydrogen combines the necessary pragmatism with the right climate policy objectives. Now that other regions of the world have also discovered the hydrogen engine, it will secure German and European competitiveness on a global scale - especially in times of industrial and technological transformation. You can find the entire appeal here.

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