The Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) in Central China's Hubei province introduced the province's first stationary hydrogen refueling station on March 26.
A hydrogen bus can travel around 400 kilometers on 18 kilograms of hydrogen, taking only about three minutes to refuel.
Funded by Wuhan Xiongzhong Hydrogen Energy, a company established by Center Power Group and Wuhan Zhongyida Petroleum, the hydrogen refueling station is capable of supplying 1,000 kg of hydrogen daily, while maintaining a reserve capacity of 1,000 kg.
The station covers an area of 15 mu (1 hectare) and began construction last June.
For safety reasons, a bus usually needs 10 to 20 minutes to discharge static electricity before refueling. Refueling takes just three minutes.
The cost of hydrogen is currently quite high –– 70 yuan ($10.41) per kg and 3 yuan per km – but the cost will decrease significantly as the number of hydrogen vehicles increases.
Only a small number of hydrogen refueling stations are currently operating in China, including those in Rugao, Jiangsu province and Foshan, Guangdong province, while many stations are under construction.
The Xiongzhong hydrogen refueling station in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Wuhan, Hubei province [Photo provided to wedz.gov.cn]
A worker refuels a hydrogen bus at the newly-established hydrogen refueling station in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, March 26. [Photo provided to wedz.gov.cn]
