H2 MOBILITY Germany has secured €110 million in funding. In addition to Hy24, the fund manager of the world’s largest clean hydrogen investment platform, legacy industrial shareholders Air Liquide, Daimler Truck, Hyundai, Linde, OMV, Shell and TotalEnergies are participating in the capital increase.
The investment will be used to upgrade the existing refueling station network and build new hydrogen stations to meet the growing demand for hydrogen (H2) from commercial vehicles and vehicles in intensive use. The new shareholder was presented today in Berlin in the presence of Ismail Ertug, Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur in the Transport Committee.
Hy24 is investing 70 million euros, while the existing shareholders of H2 MOBILITY Deutschland are collectively contributing a further 40 million euros. The investment is being made by Hy24 through the Clean H2 Infra Fund, the world’s largest hydrogen fund to date.
H2 MOBILITY Deutschland is the leading hydrogen refueling station operator in Germany with over 90 hydrogen refueling stations. The funding will be used to expand the network to 300 stations, by 2030, to form the basis for carbon-free private and commercial transport in Europe.
In the process, more than 200 refueling stations will be upgraded to large-scale facilities to meet the demand for zero-emission heavy-duty and long-haul transport on the European continent. The decarbonization of heavy-duty transport poses a particular challenge. Hydrogen-powered vehicles offer the best solution here with short refueling times and long ranges without sacrificing payload.
H2 MOBILITY Germany is concentrating the further expansion of the hydrogen filling station network on several highly frequented transport corridors and is thus assuming a leading role in the future mobility system of the European Union. Against the backdrop of growing vehicle demand, new sites are being developed together with major customers, public authorities and fleet operators. This guarantees basic demand at the individual stations and is an important step towards a profitable, self-sufficient hydrogen filling station network.
H2 MOBILITY Germany has already built more than 50 hydrogen refueling stations and operates over 90 stations. Supported by the shareholder group of leading energy and mobility companies, the company thus has the necessary expert knowledge and understanding for the development of the hydrogen filling station infrastructure. Hy24’s contribution is the first such investment by an international investment fund in hydrogen mobility. Hy24’s leading industry and financial expertise will help underpin the effectiveness of the business model and achieve sustainability goals from a commercial perspective.
Nikolas Iwan, Managing Director of H2 MOBILITY Germany, said, “Green hydrogen is becoming a key enabler on the road to zero-emission mobility and reducing independence from limited reserves of raw materials. I am pleased that we can combine the expertise of H2 MOBILITY with the capital provided to accelerate the introduction of green hydrogen in mobility and transport!”
Pierre-Etienne Franc, CEO of Hy24 and Manager of Clean H2 Infra Fund S.L.P., explained:
“H2 MOBILITY Germany is leading the development of the necessary European infrastructure for low-carbon mobility in fleet and heavy-duty transport. Hydrogen is a critical component of the European Union’s ‘Fit for 55’ plans, further underscored by the recent REPowerEU proposal. Our investment alongside pioneers also supports the European Commission’s efforts to implement the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) to significantly expand the European hydrogen refueling network. This fits with our ambition to act as a catalyst for a hydrogen economy at scale – spanning the entire system and value chain to achieve real change for our planet.”
Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV), said, “Thanks to the excellent interplay between private-sector commitment and government funding, Germany now holds a much-respected pioneering role internationally and has the largest hydrogen refueling station network in the world. We don’t want to rest on our laurels, but instead work together to drive forward the development of hydrogen refueling stations. Our efforts are aimed primarily at commercial vehicles and the electrification of heavy-duty transport, where we still see great potential for climate protection.”
