Germany Launches €220M Funding Call to Build 40 Hydrogen Stations

Germany has announced a €220 million ($262.8 million) subsidy program to create an initial nationwide network of hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy commercial vehicles. This initiative aims to address the longstanding "chicken-and-egg" challenge facing hydrogen-powered trucking. Launched by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the funding will support the construction of up to 40 hydrogen refuelling stations primarily for trucks, while also aiding the deployment of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles.

The pilot program is aligned with the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which mandates that hydrogen refuelling stations be installed at key urban locations and spaced every 200 km along the trans-European core transport network by 2030. The stations funded through this program will be capable of refuelling both heavy and light-duty vehicles, with subsidies covering up to 50% of eligible costs. The BMV estimates that the initiative could put as many as 400 hydrogen trucks on the road as part of the first phase.

Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder emphasized that the program would provide the crucial infrastructure needed to boost hydrogen truck adoption. “Step by step, a reliable basic network will be created – a vital piece of the puzzle for the transition to climate-friendly drives in heavy-duty transport,” he said. Proposals for the program must be submitted by May 31, with selected projects expected to quickly move into construction.

This funding announcement follows Germany's decision to mandate that 1.2% of transport energy comes from green hydrogen by 2030, signaling a renewed commitment to decarbonizing the mobility sector. The move comes as several European companies, including Daimler Truck and TEAL Mobility, continue advancing hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transport, despite broader market challenges.