Switzerland is a global pioneer in the realisation of the hydrogen ecosystem, with two production sites for green hydrogen, the first fleet of heavy commercial vehicles in real operation and the densest hydrogen refueling station network for cars and commercial vehicles. This network is now undergoing an important expansion in western Switzerland. AVIA Distribution SA is opening the first AVIA hydrogen refueling station in Puidoux, western Switzerland.
The Tour de Romandie also favoured environmentally friendly hydrogen-electric vehicles. This was demonstrated by the two Hyundai NEXOs, which, together with the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell, provided the backdrop for the opening of the new AVIA hydrogen filling station in Puidoux on 10 May 2023. Jérôme Wüthrich, Director of AVIA Distribution SA, Jean-Rémy Chevalley, Deputy Mayor of Puidoux, Patrick Staubli, Managing Director of the AVIA Association Switzerland and Dr Ellert, prof HES accompanied the official opening ceremony.
Jérôme Wüthrich, Director of AVIA Distribution SA, welcoming the guests: “We are not just opening a petrol station here in Puidoux, but the petrol station of the future. The reality of the heavy goods vehicles on the road in Switzerland today shows that it works. And the hydrogen ecosystem in Switzerland also proves that it is possible. These are good reasons to take the lead and promote a technology that can actually reduce CO2 emissions on the road.”
The new AVIA hydrogen refueling station between Lausanne and Vevey closes an important gap in the supply and development of the Swiss hydrogen refueling station network. With 14 refueling stations on the Lake Constance-Lake Geneva and Basel-Lucerne routes, the Swiss pioneers have built up the world’s densest hydrogen refueling station network for cars and commercial vehicles over the past three years. The members of the AVIA Association alone now operate five hydrogen refueling stations, in St. Gallen (SG), Gossau (SG), Rümlang (ZH), Geuensee (LU) and – most recently – in Puidoux (VD).
Patrick Staubli, Managing Director of the AVIA Association Switzerland, emphasises the importance of the refueling station in Puidoux: “A hydrogen ecosystem is currently being created in Switzerland that will serve as a model for many countries around the world. This makes the opening of this fueling station in Puidoux all the more important. It increases the supply in western Switzerland and secures the supply for transport companies.”
The AVIA hydrogen refueling station in Puidoux is now in operation around the clock for cars (700 bar) and lorries (350 bar). The ideal location between Vevey and Lausanne and the generous space available on site offer drivers of hydrogen cars a customer-friendly way to refuel with green hydrogen.
This also applies to the heavy-duty fuel cell commercial vehicles that have been on the road in Switzerland for more than two years. They can drive up to Puidoux with their trailer and refuel in just a few minutes for a range of around 400 kilometres, without CO2 emissions!
The Swiss hydrogen ecosystem continues to grow
AVIA is one of Switzerland’s leading energy companies in the development and expansion of the Swiss refueling station network. As a founding member of the Swiss H2 Mobility Association, the member of the AVIA Association are investing in the development of a clean hydrogen circular economy.
This starts with the production. In Kubel near St.Gallen, Wasserstoffproduktion Ostschweiz AG – with the participation of AVIA – put its second production facility for green hydrogen into operation in November 2022. AVIA is also making progress with the refueling stations.
Patrick Staubli again: “The AVIA Association with 10 member companies such as AVIA Distribution SA is taking on a lot of responsibility today and investing in the energies of the future. In doing so, we are jointly pursuing the path of offering different energies. It is important to our members that we take action and offer a sustainable and sensible energy mix that corresponds to the different areas of application. To this end, our SMEs are demonstrating a great deal of planning and realisation of new hydrogen production facilities and new hydrogen filling stations is underway.”