Benzina will have the first public hydrogen filling stations in the Czech Republic

The first two filling stations will be established in Litvínov and Prague, others are being prepared.

Next year, domestic drivers will have the opportunity to refuel with hydrogen for the first time in the Czech Republic. The contract for the construction of three hydrogen filling stations was signed by Unipetrol RPA with Bonett. The first two racks will start construction this year at Benzina petrol stations in Litvínov and in Barrandov in Prague, others will be built next year in Brno, Pilsen and Prague at the D10 motorway exit.

The agreement was announced by Unipetrol in a press release. Bonett has won a public contract for the construction of three stations, and Unipetrol is preparing another competition for the other two. The construction is largely paid for by subsidies from the Ministry of Transport. The estimated price of the contract was 106 million crowns, the final price has not yet been announced by the company.

“I am pleased that after a demanding process of preparation and administration, we can finally start the construction of the first three hydrogen filling stations in the Czech Republic. Next year we plan to open the first two filling stations and in the second phase to open the third station in Brno. At the same time, we are preparing the launch of a public contract for the selection of a supplier for two other projects, which will be located in Pilsen and Prague, “ said Tomasz Wiatrak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Unipetrol Group.

Benzina filling stations in Prague in Barrandov and Litvínov will be supplied with hydrogen, which is generated during oil processing at Unipetrol’s refineries in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou.

Greater use of hydrogen in public transport

Hydrogen is the most environmentally friendly fuel, as it does not produce undesirable substances during combustion. Unlike conventional electric cars, hydrogen-powered cars do not need batteries to operate. Their refueling will take as much time as petrol or diesel cars.

„We believe that, over time, hydrogen will complement current battery electromobility and will play an increasingly important role not only in the area of ​​personal mobility, but especially in the area of ​​public transport and transport services. In this area, we therefore cooperate with manufacturers of hydrogen-powered cars, which we want to attract to the Czech Republic with their products. “ added Wiatrak. Therefore, Prague, Central Bohemia or the Ústí nad Labem Region are also talking about the use of hydrogen for public transport.

So far, there has been only one non-public hydrogen filling station in Neratovice in the Czech Republic, which has been used for the local public transport bus since 2009. Hydrogen is especially popular in the United States, Japan and Germany. At the end of last year, there were already 87 hydrogen stations in neighboring Germany, two of which are located at STAR filling stations, which also belong to the multinational ORLEN Group. At the end of 2019, 432 hydrogen stations were in operation worldwide, 330 of which are open to the public.

–