© H2 MOBILITY

H2 MOBILITY has opened what it calls Europe’s most powerful hydrogen refueling station in Düsseldorf. The station, located on Höherweg, is designed to serve the growing demand from heavy-duty vehicles, offering up to five tonnes of hydrogen per day and simultaneous refueling at 350, 500, and 700 bar.

“This station marks a milestone for hydrogen mobility in Europe,” said Frank Fronzke, COO of H2 MOBILITY. “It represents a new generation of hydrogen refueling stations… making a tangible contribution to the transport transition.”

Developed in partnership with Stadtwerke Düsseldorf and public transport operator Rheinbahn, the site supports 20 hydrogen buses already in service at the nearby Lierenfeld depot.

Strategic Realignment After Station Closures

Earlier this year, H2 MOBILITY announced the closure of 22 underused 700-bar stations that had been built to support private cars—a market that failed to scale as expected. The move was criticized but framed by the company as a necessary adjustment.

“Older, small refuelling stations with a focus on passenger cars… must be removed from the network where this is unavoidable,” the company stated.

The Düsseldorf project reflects a shift in focus from car-based infrastructure to stations built around commercial use. The goal is to match infrastructure with actual demand—primarily fleets, buses, and trucks.

Integration, Efficiency, and Local Supply

The new station will initially be supplied with certified renewable hydrogen. From 2026, a two-megawatt electrolyzer behind the site will take over, powered by electricity from Stadtwerke Düsseldorf’s waste-to-energy plant.

“This creates local added value and avoids CO₂ emissions during the transport of hydrogen,” said Julien Mounier, CEO of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf. “Together, we are making a significant contribution to the decarbonization of Düsseldorf’s mobility sector.”

The closed-loop supply model reduces reliance on hydrogen trucking and aligns with the city’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2035.

Government Support and Sector Backing

The project received €3.1 million in federal funding, with an additional €1.2 million for the electrolyzer. It is part of Germany’s National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP 2), with coordination from NOW GmbH.

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur said hydrogen is key for sectors where electrification is not viable. “With short refueling times and long ranges, hydrogen-powered vehicles demonstrate their strengths particularly in bus and heavy-duty transport.”

Hydrogen Sector Matures

The Düsseldorf station is a clear signal that Germany’s hydrogen sector is entering a new phase, centered on logistics and public transport. With 90 stations now in operation, H2 MOBILITY is targeting a 100% renewable network by 2028.

“This is a win for both climate protection and modern urban mobility,” said Düsseldorf Mayor Stephan Keller. The message is clear: hydrogen infrastructure is scaling to meet real demand.