A coalition of hydrogen station operators is urging vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the next phase of hydrogen mobility by deploying vehicles and expanding the range of available models.

A coalition of hydrogen station operators is urging vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the next phase of hydrogen mobility by deploying vehicles and expanding the range of available models.

Six major European hydrogen refuelling station operators have joined forces to create the Hydrogen Infrastructure Alliance (H2IA), with the aim of accelerating the rollout of hydrogen mobility.
The alliance highlights the crucial importance of the availability of vehicle models. Its objective is to coordinate and speed up the joint deployment of infrastructure and vehicles by 2028.

The Hydrogen Infrastructure Alliance (H2IA)

The Alliance brings together leading members from several European countries: Hydri, TEAL Mobility, Fountain Fuel, H2 MOBILITY, Virya Energy and HYmpulsion.
Together, these companies operate 92 hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) for both light- and heavy-duty fleets, and plan to commission 39 additional high-capacity stations by 2028 — enough to refuel more than 1,800 trucks per day.

The Alliance has already initiated discussions with major vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the transition to hydrogen mobility.

Connecting the Dots

With an ambitious yet realistic pace, it will be possible by 2028 to build a connected network of stations covering all of Europe.
This is what the Alliance refers to as “Connecting the Dots”, as illustrated in the attached map.

By taking the initiative and deploying refuelling infrastructure first, it becomes possible to overcome the often-cited “chicken-and-egg dilemma” in the hydrogen sector.
Refuelling infrastructure gives manufacturers the confidence to intensify their development and commercial rollout of hydrogen vehicles.

The increase in the number of hydrogen vehicles in turn drives the accelerated growth of the station network and, importantly, a reduction in costs for end users — both for vehicles and for fuel.

Infrastructure investment paves the way

The deployment of hydrogen vehicles and stations mirrors that of mobile phone networks in the early 2000s.
The installation of transmission antennas and strong signal coverage enabled rapid growth in mobile phone usage.
This surge in demand then led to the construction of more, and more advanced, antennas, paving the way for technological advances such as 5G.

With a large number of antennas, phones and high usage rates, the overall cost of operating the system decreased.
Hydrogen is now following a similar trajectory: the multiplication of stations and vehicles is strengthening competitiveness and economic viability.

Hydrogen, an energy in full momentum

The potential of hydrogen vehicles continues to grow.

“Hydri aims to become the driving force enabling heavy transport to break free from its dependence on fossil fuels. We are seeing strong interest from companies eager to adopt hydrogen, and thanks to our station network we cover the busiest transport corridors in Sweden. This means hydrogen vehicles can now truly operate on Swedish roads.”
— Kamilla Björkman, CEO, Hydri

“HYmpulsion is a unique French model, built on a solid public–private partnership serving the energy transition. Since 2017, we have been developing a coherent and interconnected regional hydrogen network. Beyond building stations, we support the entire value chain, from industry to transport, to create a competitive and sustainable ecosystem. Through our integration into H2IA, we now carry this vision at the European scale.”
— Florian CHEVALIER, President, HYmpulsion

Hydrogen and battery-electric: complementary technologies

H2IA members emphasise that hydrogen and full-electric solutions are complementary.
Both technologies are necessary to meet diverse user needs — from long-distance transport to intensive operations, as well as flexible or occasional uses.

Hydrogen plays a key role in areas where grid capacity limits the deployment of fast-charging infrastructure, thereby supporting the transition to large-scale zero-emission mobility.