In this post, we will explore the benefits of hydrogen mobility, especially those that are not so obvious at first glance.
Impact of Pollution on Health and the Economy
- Spain spends more than 3.6 billion euros per year on treating diseases related to air pollution caused by road traffic[1].
- Air pollution can have a significant impact on human health and can contribute to the development of respiratory, cardiovascular, and other health conditions.
- Fighting the effects of pollution on people’s health represents a burden close to 3.5% of Spain’s GDP[2].
Current Data on Mobility in Spain
- The vehicle fleet in Spain has grown in recent years. In the first quarter of 2023, it reached a total of 32.98 million insured vehicles, an increase of 1.27% compared to the previous year.
- According to a study, Spaniards drive an average of nearly 300 hours per year and travel more than 12,000 kilometers annually[3].
- On average, an adult breathes between 7,200 and 8,600 liters of air every 24 hours.
The Potential of Hydrogen Vehicles
Before connecting all this data, it is essential to remember the potential of HEPA filters in hydrogen vehicles[4]. These vehicles not only reduce direct pollution but also purify the air we breathe.
Connecting Data and Hydrogen’s Potential
We have calculated the volume that would be filtered by a hypothetical national fleet of 100% hydrogen vehicles. Assuming that the entire vehicle fleet consists of cars like the Toyota Mirai or Hyundai NEXO, this fleet would filter the same amount of air daily as 52 million people breathe.
Final Reflection
How much money did Spain spend on diseases that could be reduced by this implementation? 3.6 billion euros per year. Promoting a hydrogen-based vehicle fleet makes sense not only from an environmental perspective but also from an economic and public health standpoint.
The PERTE ERHA has allocated 1.555 billion euros to promote hydrogen projects, and following RePowerEU, an extension has been requested and just granted.
Conclusion
- One of the main benefits of hydrogen mobility is its ability to reduce air pollution.
- When considering the benefits of hydrogen mobility, it is essential to look beyond the simple reduction of emissions.
- Who can now say that hydrogen mobility is expensive and doesn’t make sense? At Lean Hydrogen, we want to clean the air in cities. What about you?
Questions? Opinions? Follow us on LinkedIn and let’s share ideas in the comments.
Author: Eugenio Trillo León, CEO of Lean Hydrogen.
Date: 10/05/2023
Photo: https://www.abc.es/espana/madrid/abci-lluvias-semana-tregua-contaminacion-madrid-201711061143_noticia.html
