How emission-free heavy-duty transport with hydrogen on long-distance routes can become reality was demonstrated by Miriam Theis, Business Development Manager Hydrogen for Mobility at Air Products GmbH, in her presentation on May 12, 2025, on the "Truck & Bus" stage of the Conference Days.
The focus was on current projects for the development of a European hydrogen refueling station network, specific production plans for green hydrogen, and strategic responses to the challenges of infrastructure.
Theis emphasized: The transition to hydrogen in the transport sector is feasible – both technically and in terms of supply security. In a new production facility in Saudi Arabia with a planned electrolysis capacity of 2.2 GW, about as of
2026/2027, up to 600 tons of green hydrogen per day will be produced from water.
Additionally, a facility for the production of liquid hydrogen is being established in Rotterdam, which is expected to double the European supply. The goal is to build a refueling station network along the TEN-T corridors – in compliance with the EU regulation AFIR, which prescribes stations at 200-kilometer intervals with at least 700 bar and a daily capacity of one ton.
Obstacles on the Way to Hydrogen Economy in Transport
Accompanying surveys among participants showed, however, some disillusionment: the majority assess the development of hydrogen mobility and infrastructure in their own company compared to the previous year as unchanged
or worse. Theis confirmed this impression – progress in large projects requires perseverance. Nevertheless, the political pressure from the European Green Deal, Fit-for-55, and increasing tolls on diesel trucks is a significant driver of transformation.
Compared to electromobility, hydrogen trucks score particularly well in range and frequency: while battery-electric vehicles sometimes need to recharge after 300 kilometers, H2-combustion engines reach 600 kilometers, and fuel cell vehicles even 1,000 kilometers – with a refueling time of only 12 to 15 minutes. The H2-expert advocates for the right technology for the specific application.
Fundamentally, hydrogen technology in transport currently remains stuck in a chicken-and-egg problem. The government needs to set stronger incentives here, similar to electromobility,
to justify high initial investments. China, but also the Netherlands, are getting many things right in this area.
Digital Forum for Logistics Decision-Makers
The session took place as part of the Conference Days 2025 – a purely digital B2B event by HUSS-VERLAG, held for the fifth time from May 12 to 15, 2025, on CONFERENCE-DAYS.de. Already in 2024, over 1,100 participants used the online format to inform themselves about current developments in logistics, transport, and commercial vehicle technology in 30 live sessions. Besides knowledge transfer, the platform offers numerous digital opportunities for networking and exchange between participants and partners.
Further information and the current program of the Conference Days at https://conference-days.de/. Expired sessions are
