- With 37 New Hydrogen Refueling Stations in 2023, Europe Paves the Way for Cleaner Commercial Transportation, Accommodating Heavy Vehicles at 92% of New Sites
In 2023, 37 new hydrogen filling stations opened in Europe, 12 more in Japan, 29 in South Korea and 7 in North America. 92 percent of the new European hydrogen filling stations can also refuel heavy commercial vehicles. This is the result of the 16th annual evaluation by H2stations.org, an information service from Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST). 40 countries now have hydrogen refueling infrastructure in operation or under construction.
At the end of 2023, 921 hydrogen filling stations were in operation worldwide, representing a further annual increase. This also includes 197 hydrogen filling stations in China. The actual number could be even higher, but relevant information sources contain a significant degree of uncertainty. There are already concrete plans for 338 additional gas station locations outside of China worldwide. New additions to the list of countries with hydrogen filling stations in operation or under construction are Brazil, Oman and Namibia.
At the end of the year, Europe had 265 hydrogen filling stations, 105 of which were in Germany. France ranks second in Europe with 51 gas stations, followed by the Netherlands with 22 and Switzerland with 17. While around 70 percent of new gas stations in 2019 were built solely for refueling cars, this was the exception in 2023. 92 percent of the new hydrogen filling stations opened in 2023 are designed to refuel cars and heavy commercial vehicles such as buses or trucks. While Germany only opened 8 new hydrogen filling stations in 2023, 28 of the existing locations for refueling heavy commercial vehicles are currently being modernized. Almost 40 percent of European hydrogen filling stations are now suitable for refueling cars and heavy commercial vehicles, compared to 27 percent in 2019.
At the end of 2023, 166 hydrogen filling stations were in operation in Japan. In South Korea, vehicle refueling is possible at 174 locations. The number of hydrogen filling stations in China is estimated at at least 197, although difficult access to information limits the reliability of the data. In addition, many completed gas stations there are not yet in operation due to a lack of regional operating licenses. Outside China, South Korea was once again the world leader with 29 commissionings.
North America opened seven new gas stations last year, bringing the total to 8 in Canada and 92 in the U.S., 75 of which are in California.
Interactive location maps and individual evaluations
The website www.H2stations.orgoffe
The website uses an extensive database that has been maintained since 2005 and is continuously updated with new gas stations as well as extensive additional information on existing websites. In total, it contains detailed information on over 1,900 gas stations worldwide. “Despite the increasing maintenance effort, we continue to provide basic information for non-commercial use free of charge,” says LBST managing director Uwe Albrecht. “We offer commercial users licensing of the data including further detailed information, regular reports on new developments, technologies and markets as well as tailor-made analyses.”
Ludwig -Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, with TÜV SÜD AG as the largest shareholder, is a consulting company for sustainable energy and Mobility. She supports her international customers from business and politics with questions about technology, markets, strategy and sustainability. Large international companies trust LBST’s reliable assessments of new developments and innovations in the areas of energy and mobility and value its comprehensive expertise, particularly in all hydrogen topics. Four decades of continuous experience of the interdisciplinary team of renowned experts are the basis of LBST’s comprehensive expertise. Further information: https://www.lbst.
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