ROME – Not just electric. In the coming years, the green transport revolution will also be entrusted in Italy to biomethane and hydrogen, which will play a key role in achieving the European decarbonisation targets. Biomethane to be used immediately, as a buffer measure up to total autonomy from fossil fuels; hydrogen to be developed by 2030 with research, to produce the energy of the future with zero emissions. In essence, this is the scenario outlined by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr) in terms of sustainable mobility.
Encourage biomethane in transport
In particular, the development of biomethane, obtained by maximizing the energy recovery of organic residues, is considered strategic for strengthening the circular economy. Therefore, among the investments indicated by the NRP is “the promotion of the replacement of obsolete and low-efficiency mechanical vehicles with methane / biomethane powered vehicles”. In addition to the ” conversion and improvement of the efficiency of existing agricultural biogas plants ” and the ” support for the construction of new plants, through a contribution of 40% of the investment ”.
Focus on hydrogen for heavy and rail transport
But in terms of ecological transition, the largest chapter of the Plan concerns hydrogen, with the aim of installing approximately 5 GW of electrolysis capacity and other technologies by 2030. In the Executive’s view, hydrogen is a key element in the fight against CO2, including for mobility. Particularly for long-haul transport on trucks, which alone is responsible for 5-10% of the total carbon dioxide emissions of the transport sector. The goal of the NRRR is to reach up to 5-7% hydrogen trucks by 2030, ” by promoting the creation of hydrogen-based refueling stations and implementing projects for testing hydrogen lines ”. The goal is ” to develop around 40 refueling stations, giving priority to strategic areas for heavy road transport ”. The distributors will be suitable for trucks and cars, also operating at pressures of over 700 bar. Hydrogen will also be used in passenger rail transport, especially where the electrification of trains is not technically feasible or uncompetitive. In particular, the conversion to hydrogen of non-electrified railway lines in regions with high passenger traffic and heavy use of diesel trains (in Italy they are still about 10%), such as: Lombardy, Puglia, Sicily, Abruzzo, Calabria, Umbria and Basilicata. The project includes ” the production of green hydrogen near refueling stations ”, through the development of production, storage and distribution systems. Thanks to these investments, it will be possible to convert around 9 refueling stations on 6 railway lines. Therefore, the establishment of ” tax incentives to support the production of green hydrogen is envisaged, included in a project for a broader general revision of the taxation of energy products and inefficient subsidies to fossil fuels ”.
Strengthen local public transport and cycle paths
The Plan also aims to ” promote the local production and use of hydrogen in industry and local transport, with the creation of the so-called ‘hydrogen valleys’, industrial areas with an economy in part based on hydrogen. To contain costs, abandoned areas already connected to the electricity grid will be used. In terms of local transport, the NRR also sets itself the goal of ” moving at least 10% of traffic on private cars to the public transport system ” through the development of rapid mass transport systems. The measure involves the construction of 240 km of network equipped for infrastructures, divided into metro (11 km), tram (85 km), trolleybus (120 km), cable cars (15 km), mainly in metropolitan areas and in major Italian cities. . Still to lighten the traffic of private cars, the construction of about 570 km of urban and metropolitan cycle paths and about 1,250 km of tourist cycle paths is also planned. “The measure also has the objective of improving social cohesion at national level, with 50% of the resources allocated to the Southern Regions”.
.