Truck Hotspot | Breakthrough Paths for Hydrogen-Powered Heavy Trucks
In recent years, the hydrogen truck sector has seen numerous companies facing losses and bankruptcies. From Guofuhydrogen, a leading hydrogen equipment company in China, which reported a pre-loss of over 190 million yuan and a 15% drop in stock prices, to Nikola Corp., Hyzon Motors Inc., and Quantron AG announcing bankruptcy, the global hydrogen heavy truck industry is currently experiencing a period of turmoil. However, this does not imply a bleak future for hydrogen heavy trucks. Through this crisis, opportunities and challenges for future development are gradually becoming evident.
Structural Contradictions Behind the Bankruptcy Wave
The current hydrogen industry chain has not yet achieved scale, resulting in high costs in hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and refueling. The cost of green hydrogen produced through renewable energy electrolysis can reach 35 yuan per kilogram, which is unaffordable for many consumers. Despite government subsidies and supportive policies aimed at promoting hydrogen development, market demand has yet to be fully realized. Some companies have relied heavily on policy benefits and lack self-sustainability. For instance, Youngman Automotive received over 100 million yuan in national subsidies but succumbed to bankruptcy due to immature technology and operational issues. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell technology still faces challenges, such as short lifespan and inadequate low-temperature adaptability, alongside low infrastructure coverage like hydrogen refueling stations. As of 2024, China has established only 540 hydrogen refueling stations, far fewer than electric vehicle charging facilities, and operational maintenance costs remain high.
Future Opportunities for Hydrogen Commercial Vehicles
Ongoing policy support and the rise of green hydrogen are promising. China’s Energy Law clearly positions hydrogen energy as a primary energy source and aims to promote coordinated development across the entire hydrogen chain during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Global green hydrogen projects are accelerating, such as the integrated offshore hydrogen-ammonia project in Yantai, Shandong, which has entered the testing phase, utilizing green electricity for hydrogen production to reduce costs and extend applications to marine fuel. It is expected that by 2025, the cost of green hydrogen will drop by over 30%, enhancing the economic viability of hydrogen heavy trucks.
The unique advantages of commercial vehicle scenarios are significant. Hydrogen fuel cells excel in long-haul heavy-duty transportation. Refueling hydrogen heavy trucks takes just 5 minutes, offering a range of over 500 kilometers and performance comparable to diesel vehicles. The application of fuel cell logistics vehicles in closed environments such as ports and mines is gradually being realized. Compared to passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles are less sensitive to costs, making it easier to dilute expenses through large-scale operations.
Technological Iteration and International Cooperation
China has made breakthroughs in areas such as electrolyzers and liquid hydrogen storage and transportation, including corrosion-resistant alkaline electrolyzers and megawatt-scale seawater hydrogen production devices. Global automakers like Toyota and Hyundai are rapidly expanding into the hydrogen heavy truck market, while Daimler is developing hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks, highlighting the gradual emergence of industry chain synergies.
Breaking the Stalemate: From “Policy Infusion” to “Market Empowerment”
Focusing on scenario-based applications, hydrogen commercial vehicles should first be promoted in high-frequency, heavy-load scenarios such as port logistics and mining transportation. Projects integrating renewable energy with hydrogen storage can help reduce the cost of green hydrogen. Additionally, exploring a closed-loop model of “hydrogen vehicles + hydrogen stations + green hydrogen production” can facilitate the integration of hydrogen energy into carbon trading systems, enhancing the premium space for green hydrogen and creating sustainable business models. For instance, investigating three major scenarios for marine hydrogen energy: nearshore “semi-marine and semi-land” offshore wind power supporting industrial decarbonization, far-sea “fully marine” offshore hydrogen-ammonia integrated energy hubs, and “zero-carbon islands” providing integrated marine hydrogen energy supply solutions. Furthermore, constructing international hydrogen corridors can lower cross-border transportation costs and promote the establishment of unified global hydrogen safety standards and certification systems. Currently, the challenges facing hydrogen heavy trucks represent a necessary phase for emerging industries transitioning from policy-driven to market-driven models. Although companies may exit the market due to cost pressures and technological bottlenecks in the short term, as green hydrogen scales up, infrastructure improves, and technology iterates, the irreplaceable role of hydrogen trucks in heavy-duty and long-distance scenarios will gradually become apparent.
Recent Developments in Hydrogen Energy Transportation
- Xinjiang’s First Hydrogen Energy Bus Demonstration Line Surpasses 200,000 Kilometers – As reported on April 7, 2025, the first hydrogen energy bus demonstration line in Xinjiang officially commenced operations in July 2024, with seven hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses traveling the streets. The total distance covered exceeds 200,000 kilometers, providing a practical example for the industrial development of hydrogen transportation.
- Haipute F49 Hydrogen Heavy Truck Delivered with 200kW Fuel Cell System – On April 3, the Haipute F49 hydrogen heavy truck, equipped with a 200kW fuel cell system from H2Pro, was officially delivered to Tianjin Mingxin Logistics, marking the first trial operation of hydrogen heavy trucks in the North China region for Coca-Cola. This truck is optimized for trunk logistics, featuring a hydrogen storage capacity of 56 kg, enabling a single range of 600 kilometers to meet intercity transport demands.
- Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell Truck Completes Extreme Testing, Expected to Launch by End of Next Year – On April 3, Daimler Trucks announced that the first prototypes of the next-generation hydrogen fuel cell truck have completed a 14-day extreme testing phase in the Simplon Pass in Switzerland. Set to be operational by the end of 2026, these tests covered critical areas such as fuel cells, high-voltage batteries, electric drive axles, hydrogen storage systems, and thermal management. Two GenH2 hydrogen fuel cell prototypes traveled 6,500 kilometers under severe conditions, showcasing exceptional performance and reliability.
- New Zealand’s TR Group Launches World’s First 50-Ton Hydrogen Heavy Truck – According to reports on April 1, the TR Group in New Zealand, in collaboration with Toyota and GBV, unveiled the world’s first 50-ton hydrogen heavy truck, which features zero emissions and a range of 500 kilometers. With refueling times comparable to diesel vehicles, 20 units will operate on logistics routes, marking the beginning of a hydrogen transportation revolution.
- World’s First “Replaceable Hydrogen” Heavy Truck Unveiled – Recently, at the 2025 International Hydrogen Energy Conference and Exhibition, Jiening Technology and the National Energy Group’s Hydrogen Company presented a groundbreaking product: the world’s first “replaceable hydrogen” heavy truck. The core of this technological breakthrough is the innovative replaceable hydrogen storage system, which integrates high-pressure hydrogen storage modules, hydrogen exchange mechanisms, and IoT monitoring platforms.
- Shanxi’s First Hydrogen Energy Bus Line Opens in Pucheng – Recently, the opening ceremony for Shanxi Province’s first hydrogen energy bus line was held in Pucheng, with the first batch of 10 hydrogen energy buses officially operating on local routes. This initiative marks a new chapter in green public transportation.
- Gansu’s Qingyang Rolls Out Additional Hydrogen Buses – Recently, Qingyang City launched its second batch of 50 hydrogen buses as part of the Qingyang Public Transport Group, enhancing green public transport services for residents.
- Yunnan Yunnei Power Unveils Solar Hydrogen Production + Fuel Cell Heavy Truck – Recently, Yunnan Yunnei Power Co., Ltd. in collaboration with Yunnan Huan Yuan New Energy Technology disclosed a patent for a solar hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle range extension system, marking a significant innovation by integrating solar hydrogen production with fuel cell vehicle power systems.
