Hydrogen in Passenger Transport: A Macroeconomic Analysis

Hydrogen is often seen as a promising future energy carrier given the major reliance of today's transport sector on finite fossil fuels. This working paper assesses the macroeconomic effects of introducing hydrogen as fuel in passenger transport within the framework of the computable general equilibrium (CGE) model PACE-T(H2). Our simulation results suggest small improvements in the macroeconomic performance in almost all European countries from the introduction of hydrogen. The magnitude of economic effects however depends on the assumed learning curve of hydrogen cars and on the future development of hydrogen infrastructure costs. The results presented in this paper build on data and projections developed in the EU funded 'HyWays' project.

Jokisch, Sabine and Tim Mennel (2007), Hydrogen in Passenger Transport: A Macroeconomic Analysis, ZEW Discussion Paper No. 07-065, Mannheim.