The top managers of KAMAZ PTC took part in a meeting of the Commission on Automotive and Agricultural Machine Manufacturing of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) held in Moscow. Among the main issues on the agenda is the production of hydrogen vehicles in Russia and the conditions for the development of this industry in the country.
In view of global decarbonization, the prospects for the use of hydrogen technologies are one of the most discussed issues today. According to many experts, it is in this area that Russia has the highest chances of joining the global greening trend.
"The Russian automotive and agricultural machine industry can become a playmaker in the production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, provided that infrastructure constraints are overcome and the domestic scientific potential is developed," said Mikhail Matasov, Deputy General Director of KAMAZ PTC for Government Relations.
He recalled that there are three strategic planning documents determining the development of hydrogen energy in the Russian Federation: a roadmap for the development of hydrogen energy in the Russian Federation until 2024, a concept for the development of hydrogen energy in the Russian Federation dated August 5, 2021, and a concept for the development of production and use of electric road transport in the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030, which has a separate division on hydrogen energy.
According to the top manager of KAMAZ, the adoption of these documents and the development of priority development goals should spur hydrogen producers on to form business processes and develop technologies that will be aimed at the production of this type of fuel.
“The goal of Russian manufacturers is to localize the line of all types of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” Matasov emphasized. He also noted that Russian infrastructure facilities were not enough for hydrogen transport yet. And, as other countries’ experience shows, it is necessary to build them outpacing the hydrogen vehicles market.
The meeting also touched upon the high cost of green hydrogen as the main problem for the development and implementation of hydrogen technologies and related infrastructure. It was noted that the development of the industry requires the development of statutory instruments and standards and the participation of the state, including subsidies and tax incentives for companies that will purchase hydrogen vehicles. Manufacturers can also stimulate demand, for example, concluding contracts with gas station owners and giving buyers of such vehicles an opportunity to receive fuel for 2-3 years free of charge.