© FNM

Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM) has completed construction of Lombardy’s first hydrogen refueling station, located on the eastern ring road of Milan in Carugate. The station, officially unveiled but not yet operational, is the first in a five-station network designed to link Northern Italy with key European transport corridors in Switzerland, Austria, France, and Germany.

Backed by €55.4 million ($60.4 million) in funding from Italy’s PNRR and the EU’s CEF Transport Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), the initiative reflects growing momentum behind hydrogen mobility in Europe. The network is scheduled to go live on January 1, 2026.

“This location is strategic, because it is positioned along the network of European TEN-T corridors,” said Elio Catania, President of Milano Serravalle – Milano Tangenziali, the company overseeing the project. “It supports logistics towards Switzerland and Germany.”

Infrastructure Targets Light and Heavy-Duty Transport

The Carugate Est site is designed to accommodate both cars and heavy trucks, with dual refueling pressures: 700 bar for light-duty vehicles and 350 bar for heavy-duty vehicles. Hydrogen will be delivered by tank trucks, compressed on site to 500 or 1000 bar, and cooled to -40°C before dispensing.

The remaining four stations—another in Carugate, one in Rho, and two in Tortona—are under construction. All will be completed by late 2025. Together, they form a hydrogen corridor capable of serving freight movements between the port of Genoa and inland Europe.

“With the five installations, we are creating a triangle of production, vehicles, and distribution,” Catania added. “There are many PNRR resources, but we need to build the supply chain.”

FNM Pushes Broader Hydrogen Strategy

The refueling network is part of FNM’s broader strategy to integrate hydrogen into multiple transport modes. The company, controlled by the Lombardy Region, is also developing the H2iseO project—a hydrogen-powered railway valley in Valcamonica.

“Our plan sets important goals for energy efficiency and emission reduction,” said Andrea Gibelli, President of FNM Group. “The refueling network and H2iseO are key components of our move toward sustainable mobility.”

FNM will soon launch a tender to secure a supplier of renewable hydrogen, as required by PNRR funding guidelines.

Industry Response and Future Outlook

At the Carugate inauguration event, major vehicle manufacturers including BMW Italia, Daimler Buses Italia, Hyundai, Rampini Carlo, and Toyota Motor Italia showcased their hydrogen models—signaling growing market interest.

Europe currently has over 250 hydrogen stations operating, with another 200 planned. Italy’s H2IT forecasts that by 2050, the country could host over 8.5 million hydrogen-powered cars, 20,000 buses, and 50,000 trucks.

Though only 6,000 hydrogen vehicles are on European roads today, FNM and Milano Serravalle are betting on scale and infrastructure to trigger growth. “This is a market generated by supply and innovation,” Catania said.