Policies and deployment for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles an assessment of the Normandy project

The paper provides a cost benefit analysis of one of the most prominent Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle deployment project in France, taking place in Normandy. The project builds on the substitution of a diesel Kangoo by an electric Kangoo ZE with a fuel cell range extender for public fleets. The sustainability of the scenario as it is envisioned today is questioned. A second scenario is explored. It builds on a more aggressive investment in infrastructure so as to generate a higher market share for FCEV, including long range vehicles and buses on top of light duty vehicles. It is shown that the resulting higher consumption of hydrogen would be a strong lever to reduce the cost of hydrogen refuelling stations as well as the transportation cost of hydrogen that would now be associated with on-site hydrogen production. This scenario may require a higher level in public funds at the early deployment phase but would deliver much better chances to achieve sustainability. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.