Assessing the social acceptance of hydrogen for transportation in Spain: An unintentional focus on target population for a potential hydrogen economy

Abstract The assessment of public perception and social acceptance of hydrogen energy systems is crucial to avoid reluctance to the deployment of hydrogen technology and infrastructure. However, the number of regional studies evaluating these aspects is scarce. This work aims at assessing the attitude of the Spanish society towards the potential role of hydrogen for transportation. A quantitative approach was followed through the design and open electronic distribution of a survey with 12 closed-ended questions. The final size of the sample involved 1005 respondents. The analysis of the responses provided relevant information under three main aspects: perception of the concept “hydrogen”; supporting attitude towards the implementation of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure; and determining factors for the purchase of a hydrogen vehicle. Overall, the respondents are willing to accept hydrogen as a key energy carrier within the energy and transport sector. Nevertheless, further policy, industry and research efforts are required in order to overcome current obstacles hampering the success of hydrogen. The results of this study may be relevant not only to hydrogen stakeholders and decision-makers in Spain but also to counterparts in other regions without strong initiatives towards a well-established hydrogen economy.

[1]  S. Mourato,et al.  Analysing awareness and acceptability of hydrogen vehicles: A London case study , 2005 .

[2]  M. Weeda,et al.  The hydrogen economy – Vision or reality? , 2015 .

[3]  Tanya O’Garra,et al.  Public Preferences for Hydrogen Buses: Comparing Interval Data, OLS and Quantile Regression Approaches , 2007 .

[4]  I. Dincer,et al.  Environmental impact assessment and comparison of some hydrogen production options , 2015 .

[5]  M. Balat.  Potential importance of hydrogen as a future solution to environmental and transportation problems , 2008 .

[6]  René Zimmer,et al.  Let's go green with hydrogen! The general public's perspective , 2012 .

[7]  Marshall Miller,et al.  AcceptH 2 : Public Perception of Hydrogen Buses in Five Countries , 2004 .

[8]  Richard L. Schmoyer,et al.  Results of the 2004 Knowledge and Opinions Surveys for the Baseline Knowledge Assessment of the U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program , 2006 .

[9]  Luis Correas,et al.  Platform for promoting a hydrogen economy in Southwest Europe: The HYRREG project , 2013 .

[10]  Kristina Haraldsson,et al.  A first report on the attitude towards hydrogen fuel cell buses in Stockholm , 2006 .

[11]  Peter Achterberg,et al.  Unknowing but supportive? Predispositions, knowledge, and support for hydrogen technology in the Netherlands , 2010 .

[12]  G. Mihalakakou,et al.  Social acceptance of renewable energy sources: A review of contingent valuation applications , 2014 .

[13]  Sib Krishna Ghoshal,et al.  Hydrogen the future transportation fuel: From production to applications , 2015 .

[14]  Rita van der Vorst,et al.  Issues affecting the acceptance of hydrogen fuel , 2004 .

[15]  I. Dincer.  Green methods for hydrogen production , 2012 .