“It really takes off!”: Out for a spin with Andreas Nickl in the F-Cell B-class

25/01/2012 - Andreas Nickl stars in the CEP’s viral film, which is now online. Before the shoot, he had never even sat in a hydrogen car. All that is history now! Andreas Nickl spent three says driving the F-Cell around Berlin. We accompanied him and learned that his kids think he’s even ‘cooler’.

Andreas, you spent three days braving Berlin traffic in a fuel-cell car. What was your impression?

I really enjoyed driving it – the car really takes off when you hit the accelerator, and it feels very sporty!

What associations did you have with the word ‘hydrogen’ before now?

Whenever I heard the word ‘hydrogen’, I used to think of ‘peroxide blondes’ – and the ‘hydrogen bomb’. I always perceived hydrogen as being rich in energy. If mankind is able to harness this energy with technology to be mobile and independent of our ever-dwindling oil reserves, then that makes me feel optimistic.

As you already mentioned, hydrogen has a high energy density and is therefore often perceived as dangerous. Did you take your children with you in the hydrogen car?

Yes, I had no reservations whatsoever, and the children were really excited about the car! I've gone up a lot in their estimation the last few days. They were fascinated by the fact that only water comes out of the exhaust pipe, but no exhaust fumes, and I did my best to explain to them how the technology works. We also took the children next door out for a drive and had to demonstrate the car outside their school, too – the kids were really proud of their dad!

Is climate protection a personal priority for you, too?

I think that asking yourself that question is part of living a responsible life. As a father of three, I wonder how my children will experience the world. What will it hold for them a few years from now? They are likely to be alive when we pass “Peak Oil” and the oil reserves actually start to come to an end.

Are you taking specific measures to keep your carbon footprint as small as possible?

I try to avoid using my conventional car as often as possible. When I drive it’s always at the back of my mind that it hurts the environment.  Also, we just had an air-heat pump installed at our house. It generates energy not by burning anything – be it oil, wood or pellets – but by extracting the warmth from the ambient air. Extremely clever and sophisticated technology!

So wouldn't a fuel cell-powered hydrogen car be ideal for you?

The hydrogen car really is a great alternative. The fact that it emits nothing but steam is a feel-good factor in itself. Unfortunately, at this point the car is still too expensive, but I hope this will change soon, and that the technology will eventually become appealing to the masses.

Has your opinion of driving changed as a result of your experience with hydrogen mobility?

I think once you’ve driven a hydrogen car, you develop a new sense of awareness in connection with driving. I notice traffic noise in the city much more now than in the past. I love the idea of being able to live on a main road and not hearing any traffic noise! It’s hard to predict exactly how mobility will develop. I can imagine that public transport will also play a major role in future developments. But I have absolutely no doubt that our mobility will change.

For more information on the CEP's viral film, click ::here

Andreas Nickl and his children were thrilled with the hydrogen car: “It’s really extremely quiet!"

It was not neccesary to refuel the F-Cell during the three days. But Andreas took a look at a hydrogen filling station in Berlin. His conclusion: "The refueling process is very simular to the traditional practise."