Enlarge image Peter Ramsauer at a "Sommerfest" gala for German broadcaster ZDF on July 2, 2012 in Berlin. (© picture-alliance/HOCH ZWEI) The German Government, along with partners from various related industries, plans to construct a network of hydrogen fuel pumps. The project falls within the scope of a current research and development project which aims to increase the total number of hydrogen fuel pumps in Germany from a current number of 14 to 50.

Peter Ramsauer, Germany's federal minister of transport, building and urban affairs, announced the beginning of the project on July 4 in Berlin. The project is being funded via a grant worth 20 million euros from a hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program.

Germany is currently in need of a network of hydrogen fuel pumps that would cover and connect major metropolitan areas in order for electric cars to be successfully introduced, Ramsauer said.

This network of 50 fuel pumps would form the basis of future infrastructure for resupplying hydrogen-fuelled cars. The project has several partners from industry, including the automobile maker Daimler-Benz, gas specialist Linde, Air Products, Air Liquide and Total, the French oil conglomerate.