Air Liquide, technological partner of the 2011 Challenge Bibendum in Berlin

Hydrogen station set up and ready to fuel 30 fuel cell vehicles

Air Liquide is the technological partner of the 11th Challenge Bibendum. On this occasion, the Group announces that it has finalized the set-up of the hydrogen station that will allow around 30 hydrogen-powered vehicles participating to the Challenge to refuel.

This station is a high-tech hydrogen filling station (350 and 700 bar). The vehicles will fuel up both for the purpose of carrying out various tests and assessments from the Tempelhof test center, near Berlin, Germany, and for demonstrations. This participation in the challenge offers the fuel cell vehicles equipped with the latest technologies a chance to demonstrate their performance on the road under real driving conditions.

Based on patented Air Liquide technologies, this hydrogen filling station will enable vehicles to fuel up in less than 5 minutes, for a driving range that can reach up 500 kilometers for some vehicles.

The Challenge Bibendum, which will be held in Berlin, from May 18 to May 22, 2011 is organized by Michelin and gathers over four days five thousand representatives from business and industry, the scientific community, international and national institutions and NGOs to explore the challenges and solutions for sustainable road mobility. This international event, which brings together around 300 vehicles, is an opportunity to showcase innovation in trucks, buses, cars, clean urban vehicles and, in particular, vehicles powered by hydrogen.

Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide, will participate in the “Leaders Forum” on May 20, bringing together politicians and economic representatives around the three themes of the Challenge: “clean, safe & connected”.

As the world leader in its industry, Air Liquide intends to facilitate access to clean and renewable energy to as wide a public as possible. Air Liquide is contributing to a very large number of projects and events aimed at advancing research and innovation, as well as promoting social acceptance of the new energy carrier hydrogen energy.

Over the last four years, Air Liquide has designed, built and commissioned a growing number of hydrogen filling stations. Around 50 Air Liquide stations have been installed throughout the world to date. In 2010, Air Liquide provided more than 40,000 hydrogen fills.

Press kit - for more information

Discover our video coverage of the Challenge Bibendum 2011 on http://hydrogenforchallengebibendum.airliquide.com. You will find more information on hydrogen energy, regular video updates during the whole event.