Air Products has announced plans to build commercial-scale hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) in Europe. The stations will be located along major transportation corridors near the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This infrastructure will support the growing hydrogen ecosystem and advance hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transportation.
Features of Air Products’ European Hydrogen Refueling Stations
The commercial-scale hydrogen refueling stations will include:
- Enhanced fueling technology
- Multiple pressure fueling options
- Onsite liquid hydrogen storage for liquid fueling
These stations will ensure reliability and convenience for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles. Air Products will supply renewable hydrogen from its global hydrogen supply chain network. This includes a second hydrogen liquefaction plant being built in Rotterdam, doubling Europe’s liquid hydrogen capacity.
Progress on Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure Funding
Several Air Products’ hydrogen refueling stations have been awarded subsidies by the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). These include:
- HRS in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Hürth, Germany (in commissioning)
- HRS at Volvo Group site in Ghent, Belgium
- Europe’s first commercial-scale HRS with liquid hydrogen in Zeebrugge, Belgium
Air Products has also received funding from North Rhine-Westphalia to build two high-capacity, publicly accessible HRS in Germany.
Collaboration with Daimler Truck on Hydrogen-Powered Truck Trials
Air Products is collaborating with Daimler Truck on a pioneering hydrogen truck pilot project. Five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 trucks are being trialed, refueling at their mobile station in Duisburg. This pilot will provide insights into liquid hydrogen fueling and inform future hydrogen ecosystem development.
Air Products is also trialing a GenH2 truck in its own distribution fleet. The trucks are fueled with liquid hydrogen, enabling a range of over 1,000 kilometers.
Accelerating the Global Energy Transition
Air Products’ European hydrogen refueling station network follows its plans to build similar networks in California and Alberta. As the world’s largest hydrogen supplier, they has over 250 hydrogen fueling station projects in 20 countries.
“Trialling a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck under real conditions is critical in converting our fleet to hydrogen power,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and CEO of Air Products. “Safe and reliable production, transportation and distribution of renewable hydrogen is essential for sustainable transportation.”
Read more: Germany’s Hydrogen Revolution: Transforming Energy Use
