‘Hydrogen is LPG 8.0’
Roy Luca has been an alderman in Woerden since January 2024, with public space, environment, and climate in his portfolio. However, he has been following developments in hydrogen for much longer. “Hydrogen is my thing. Given my background in biology and my interest in physics, I find it a fascinating phenomenon. It’s clean; the base raw material—water—is everywhere in and around us, and the byproduct is water once again. I believe we must leave the world in a better state for the generations that follow. Hydrogen is part of the 'holy grail' to achieve that goal.”
Luca’s boundless energy is evident; he is one of the nominees in the race for Hydrogen Alderman of the Year. “Yes, I am championing hydrogen. People have been talking about it for years, but it’s time to take action. Our neighbor Germany, for example, has already achieved so much. They have installed a significant number of hydrogen refueling stations, and hydrogen-powered trucks are already on the road. It is time for the Netherlands to realize more. Starting here in Woerden, for instance.”
BP D!vers
The alderman is working hard to facilitate the arrival of a BP D!vers hydrogen refueling station along the A12 motorway near Woerden. “All the permits are now in place, and I have presented the plans to the Council. Now it’s up to them to give the final approval. A hydrogen refueling station at this location is smart and strategic. The reason is that we are situated on the route from the port toward German industry and along the future hydrogen backbone. Heavy mobility, but also smaller buses and passenger cars, have emissions that are too high. We are already seeing diesel consumption drop; hydrogen is an excellent replacement.”
Pivot Point
“Hydrogen will be the new LPG, but version 8.0,” he continues. “It’s sustainable, fewer raw materials are needed for vehicle batteries because you work with a battery in combination with a hydrogen tank, the range is greater than that of an electric car, and refueling is perhaps even faster than filling up with petrol. The only remaining point of attention is the price. But I expect that when we cleverly convert sustainably generated energy—which cannot enter the grid due to congestion—into hydrogen, that price will become more competitive. We are at a pivot point right now.”
The Chicken is Coming
“Regional entrepreneurs are eager because they want to deliver goods in zero-emission zones, for example,” the alderman observes. “Hydrogen is ideal for that. They want to switch their trucks and delivery vans to hydrogen, but they are still waiting for the refueling station. It’s the classic chicken-and-egg discussion, and I can tell them: that chicken is coming! I look forward to giving the green light soon so those entrepreneurs can officially place their vehicle orders.”
Innovative Entrepreneur
Luca appreciates the drive shown by entrepreneurs. “One entrepreneur sticking his neck out is the owner of the new refueling station. He is being so innovative! With a solar park, the hydrogen station, and eventually his own electrolyser. He is looking to the future and trying to anticipate it now. Initially, the hydrogen will be supplied via trailers, but in the long run, it will be produced locally. Furthermore, there will be a connection to the backbone—not to draw from it, but to supply to it! The farmers here who need to switch to biogas will benefit from that as well.”
A Long Haul
Is it all smooth sailing? “Certainly not. When I arrived here as an alderman, the hydrogen station project had already been running for three years. The fact that it takes so long is mainly due to the permitting process. There is a need for standardized regulations from the national government. People mistakenly think hydrogen is dangerous, but it is actually less dangerous than petrol or diesel.”
“I also think it takes time for the national government to find new ways to generate the revenue currently coming from excise duties on diesel and petrol,” he continues. “Hydrogen is clean, which technically means you can’t levy excise duties. That’s why the discussion about road pricing keeps popping up, as this is also a concern with electric driving. Another current debate is around charging stations. That would be a thing of the past if people switched to hydrogen cars. Refueling is truly very easy.”
Hydrogen Challenge
To demonstrate what a hydrogen car can do, Luca participated and continues to participate in the Hydrogen Challenge. “Next year, I will participate again with three colleagues. We drive a Toyota Mirai; it drives just as smoothly as an electric car, but the car is even a bit lighter now. We perform tasks along the way. It’s a great initiative to draw attention to driving on hydrogen. I already see some hydrogen cars on the road around me, which is a great development. And I’ve already noticed that more officials are showing interest in what we are doing here in Woerden regarding hydrogen. Hopefully, more will follow.”
