Wang Gang (Minister of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology): in the thirteenth five-year plan period, much emphasis will be put on the research and development of fuel cell vehicles. So far, China has witnessed significant growth in the emerging industry and amassed rich experience and formidable strengths. In addition, a sound recharging facility system has already been set up, covering a huge area. At the exhibition area, it can be found that some passenger vehicles are equipped with fuel cells of 10-30 kW.h while some city buses and coaches are mounted with fuel cells of 30-60 kW.h. Despite all these achievements, China’s fuel cell vehicle industry is still at its initial development stage. Against such a backdrop, more research and work must be done to promote the operation of plug-in and distance-enhancing fuel cell vehicles so that both fuels---electricity and gas can complement each other. 

 

 

It must be pointed out that fuel cells and power batteries are complementary to each other. Currently, great efforts must be made to keep the fast growing momentum in the fuel cell industry, improving the life-expectancy of fuel cells and cutting their fuel consumption.

 

 

(In the order of their speeches)

 

 

Huang Hongsheng:president of Nanjing King Long Bus Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

 

Our company currently consider our fuel cell bus development project as our most important task. Recently, a small batch of our fuel cell buses were put into operation in Jiangsu province. With the optimized fuel cells and software systems, fuel cell buses with large passenger loading capacity are within our reach. We are taking full advantage of our competitiveness in fuel cells to become one of the leading bus makers in the global market.

 

 

Zhu Dequan:Deputy Director of Beijing Tsinghua Industrial Development Research Institute

 

Currently, fuel cell are very expensive. However, it is believed that in the near future, the purchasing cost of fuel cells will be lower than that of internal combustion engine. In sharp contrast, lithium-ion batteries will hardly achieve more competitiveness in terms of price when compared with internal combustion engine. The fast improvement of energy efficiency of fuel cells is the key driving force for the robust growth of the industry.

 

 

Zhou Jingchun:president of ZEV Auto Co., Ltd.

 

We brought two units 12-meter city buses on display at this year’s China EV100 Forum. Thanks to our advanced wheel driving technologies, newly developed composite materials and hydrogen fuel cell technologies, our vehicles have successfully lost a fairly large amount of weight. At the same time, they have significantly improved their continuous driving capacity. 

 

 

One 12-meter hydrogen fuel cell city bus, equipped with wheel driving system, independent suspension, low floor access, 60 kW.h fuel cell system and modular structure, boasts a very compact structure and highly integrated design. Without external heating or insulation, the bus is able to start at minus ten degree Celsius and it can also withstand the extreme minus 46 degree Celsius. With five hydrogen tanks which can store 16 kilograms of hydrogen, the bus is able to drive continuously for no less than 400 kilometers. 

 

 

Gu Dazhao:Academician of China’s Academy of Engineering

 

In order to push forward the development of hydrogen industry, Shenhua Group first upgraded with own vehicles and put fuel cell technologies in use on its own engineering vehicles and trucks. 

 

 

Research shows that the average cost of producing one kilogram of hydrogen from coal is about 12 RMB. In comparison, the cost of producing hydrogen from other sources will reach 18 RMB. Thus, the cost competitiveness of coals is noticeable. 

 

 

Patrick Haverman:Deputy Director of UN Development Program

 

In August, 2016, China set up its goal for promoting the fuel cell vehicles by 2020, mapping out the five steps the nation will take to realize its goal. Production of fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles, production of hydrogen fuels, construction of hydrogen refilling stations, promulgation of related laws and regulations, spreading related information and raising people’s awareness, and pushing forward the development of fuel cell vehicles are all work to be done. Hydrogen is the promising clean energy source for future vehicles across the globe. We hope through our concerted efforts, we could promote the continued development of fuel cell technologies.

 

 

Zhang Jinhua:Vice Chairman and Secretary of China Automobile Engineering Association

 

Hydrogen and fuel cells have become an area of strategic importance of the nation. In the thirteenth five-year plan, the development of new energy vehicle is high on the agenda. While developing hydrogen fuel cells, China has and will always adhere to its opening-up policies and multi-lateral cooperation.

 

 

Zhang Tong:Professor of Tongji University

 

Take the 8-meter, 10-meter and 12-meter coaches for example, the fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles can hardly compete with other vehicles without the current government subsidies. However, if financed by government subsidies, fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles are at the same level in terms of price. By 2019, subsidies for electric buses will be canceled while fuel cell vehicles will continue to enjoy subsidies. Then, the purchasing costs of fuel cell vehicles will be lowered significantly.

 

 

Pan Mu:Professor of Wuhan University of Technology

 

China has 33 units fuel cell buses in operation. Currently, the number of hydrogen refilling stations stands at four, ranking the seventh place in the world. Despite the fact that China has the largest number of fuel cell buses, the related technologies, especially the core technologies, are lagging behind compared with its foreign counterparts.

 

 

Li Jianqiu:Professor of Tsinghua University

 

Currently, fuel cell bus can reach a life expectancy of six years. We have helped Foton produce 60 units fuel cell buses. In 2017, about 60-100 units fuel cell buses will be rolled out for official operation. 

 

 

Wang Haijiang:Professor of South China’s University of Science and Technology

 

Beijing Sinohytec, which focuses on developing fuel cell buses, has become the first enterprise listed on the stock market.

 

 

Li Feiqiang:Deputy Director of National Electric Bus Control & Safety Engineering Research Center

 

Yutong developed China’s first fuel cell bus in 2009. In 2012, a special team was set up, developing fuel cell systems and control systems. In 2014, Yutong obtained China’s first certificate for fuel cell buses. In 2015, Yutong received China’s first fuel cell bus notice. In 2016, Yutong successfully developed its third generation fuel cell buses and 8-meter fuel cell bus. 

 

 

Yutong 12-meter fuel cell city bus is equipped with distance-enhancing power system. Its fuel cells are able to meet the energy needs of the whole vehicle. Moreover, its optimized control system can further cut the vehicle’s energy consumption and increase its continuous driving distance. Yutong 8-meter fuel cell bus is able to drive over 500 kilometers after optimizing its control systems and energy efficiency. In addition, it can get fully refilled in five-ten minutes.

 

 

Ming Pingwen:General Manager of Xinyuan Power Co., Ltd.

 

2014 was the lowest period for fuel cell vehicles. In response to the situation, the company developed fuel cells for passenger vehicles and buses. In 2016, the company’s sales revenue hit 80 million RMB.

 

 

Daryl Wilson:president and CEO of Canada Hydrogen Power Corporation

 

Our company has been in cooperation with China’s Yutong in developing fuel cell buses. So far, our fuel cell buses have an accumulated mileage of over 40,000 kilometers. 

 

 

Qin Zhidong:Deputy General Manager of Foton AUV Bus Branch

 

Among the 11 public notices made by the national government for new energy vehicles, 9 of them are for commercial vehicles. Among the 9 notices, some are for buses and logistic vehicles made by Foton. In 2017, Foton will roll out three fuel cell buses to meet the rising market demands.

 

 

2020, the number of electric buses and other new energy buses will rise to about 200,000 units. Bus operators are also entitled to enjoy 60,000 RMB subsidies each year for operating every unit of fuel cell bus. Given above, Foton will chiefly focus on developing fuel cell buses.

 

 

Concluding remarks: according to China Manufacturing 2025, China will realize mass production of key materials for fuel cells by 2020. By 2025, China will further improve its infrastructure for producing and refilling hydrogen gas. In addition, four million RMB worth subsidies will be offered to each hydrogen refilling station with a daily hydrogen refilling capacity of no less than 200 kilograms.

 

 

At 2017 China EV100 Forum, all participants agree that China’s fuel cell buses have their own strengths, laying a solid foundation for its future development.