Investigation of challenges to the utilization of fuel cell buses in the EU vs transition economies

In the urban environment, residents' health is damaged seriously due to fossil-fuel combustion, among the pollutants most are created from transport vehicles. Fuel cell buses fuelled by hydrogen appear to be a promise solution to environment, energy and public health problems that we face today. Studies worldwide point towards the technical feasibility of hydrogen as an energy carrier in the transport and stationary sectors, but several non-technical barriers need to be overcome or removed before hydrogen can be deployed in energy systems. This paper expounds a previous country-specific analysis by contrasting the challenges arising at EU level and those faced by transition economies, using China and Brazil as case-studies to identify the key barriers and potential impact on hydrogen fuel cell buses applications. The evaluation criteria used are described. Lessons on the critical conditions for a successful introduction of fuel cell buses and hydrogen into society and the establishment of a hydrogen infrastructure arise from the above analyses.Fuel cell buses Non-technical barriers European union Transition economies

Public attitudes towards and demand for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles: A review of the evidence and methodological implications

It is now widely recognized that effective communication and demand-side policies for alternative energy require sound knowledge of preferences and determinants of demand of the public and consumers. To date, public attitudes towards new transport technologies have been studied under very different conceptual frameworks. This paper gives an overview of the various conceptual frameworks and methodologies used, where four main approaches can be distinguished: general attitudinal surveys, risk perception studies, non-market economic valuation studies, and other approaches such as those based on semiotic theory. We then review the findings of the recent literature on acceptance, attitudes and preferences for hydrogen and fuel cell end-use technologies, focusing on vehicles. These studies are then contrasted with related research into alternative fuel vehicles. The paper finally discusses the main trends in research and avenues for further work in this field. We recommend, among other things, the use of approaches that build knowledge and familiarity with the technology prior to the exploration of attitudes, and the set up of studies that take a whole-systems perspective of hydrogen technologies and that look at hydrogen in the context of other competing clean technologies.Attitudes Preferences Hydrogen and fuel cells

Public attitudes towards and demand for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles: a review of the evidence and methodological implications

It is now widely recognized that effective communication and demand-side policies for alternative energy require sound knowledge of preferences and determinants of demand of the public and consumers. To date, public attitudes towards new transport technologies have been studied under very different conceptual frameworks This paper gives an overview of the various conceptual frameworks and methodologies used, where four main approaches can be distinguished: general attitudinal surveys, risk perception studies, non-market economic valuation studies, and other approaches such as those based on semiotic theory. We then review the findings of the recent literature on acceptance, attitudes and preferences for hydrogen and fuel cell end-use technologies, focusing on vehicles These studies are then contrasted with related research into alternative fuel vehicles The paper finally discusses the main trends in research and avenues for further work in this field We recommend, among other things, the use of approaches that build knowledge and familiarity with the technology prior to the exploration of attitudes, and the set up of studies that take a whole-systems perspective of hydrogen technologies and that look at hydrogen in the context of other competing clean technologies