Low demand stymies H₂ refuelling network rollout

Despite bullish forecasts for hydrogen truck and bus sales, refuelling infrastructure for heavy vehicles remains little used amid uncertainty over standards

Hydrogen fuel cell trucks will represent 17pc of European sales in 2030, or 59,500 units, according to a December report commissioned by the EU’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). By the same year, 100,000 hydrogen-powered trucks and 1,500 refuelling stations will be deployed across Europe, the 62 signatories to a November Hydrogen Europe statement pledged. These signatories include automakers, fuel cell and other hydrogen technology suppliers, hydrogen refuelling and infrastructure providers, and truck operators. Yet demand so far remains minimal. In Germany—which can make a strong claim to be Europe’s hydrogen leader—there were just 49 hydrogen buses and one heavy-duty tr