The Future of Hydrogen Infrastructure for Trucks

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has emerged as one of the most promising solutions for decarbonizing heavy-duty transport, offering the long range, quick refueling, and high payload capacity needed for logistics and industrial operations. While hydrogen trucks are now commercially available, their widespread adoption hinges on one critical factor: infrastructure. Without a reliable, cost-effective, and widespread hydrogen fueling network, fleets cannot fully embrace this transformative technology. The future of hydrogen infrastructure for trucks is therefore not just about vehicles，it is about building the ecosystem that supports them.

Hydrogen’s greatest advantage lies in its fast refueling times and long driving range compared to battery electric trucks. Whereas charging a heavy-duty battery truck can take one to four hours, hydrogen trucks can be refueled in 10–20 minutes, making them ideal for long-haul and time-sensitive applications. Current models, such as CAMC’s hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, can achieve ranges of up to 800–1,000 kilometers on a single fill, giving them a decisive edge in operations where uptime is critical. However, this potential can only be realized if hydrogen refueling stations are available where fleets need them most.

Globally, governments and private enterprises are beginning to invest in hydrogen corridors—designated freight routes equipped with hydrogen fueling stations at regular intervals. Europe is leading with initiatives such as the European Hydrogen Backbone, aiming to connect major industrial and logistics hubs with hydrogen pipelines and fueling stations. Similarly, South Korea, Japan, and China are rapidly building hydrogen infrastructure to support both passenger and commercial vehicles. In China, CAMC trucks are already playing a central role in pilot projects where hydrogen fueling networks are being tested and expanded.

The economics of hydrogen infrastructure are also improving. Historically, green hydrogen produced from renewable energy via electrolysis has been expensive. However, as renewable energy capacity scales up and electrolyzer technology becomes more efficient, costs are dropping significantly. Projections suggest that by 2030, green hydrogen could be cost competitive with diesel in many regions. This shift will not only make hydrogen fueling more viable for logistics fleets but also accelerate the global transition to zero-carbon transport.

Building a hydrogen fueling station network comes with unique challenges. Hydrogen must be compressed to 350 or 700 bar for truck applications, requiring advanced storage and safety systems. The fueling infrastructure must also accommodate the higher throughput of heavy-duty vehicles, which consume far more hydrogen per refueling than passenger cars. This means stations must be designed with larger compressors, faster dispensers, and sufficient on-site storage to ensure fleet efficiency. CAMC is actively working with energy providers and local governments to ensure that its hydrogen trucks are supported by scalable, high-capacity fueling infrastructure.

Integration with renewable energy sources will be another defining feature of future hydrogen infrastructure. Solar, wind, and hydropower plants can produce hydrogen during periods of excess generation, storing it for later use in transportation. This creates a stable, flexible energy supply that benefits both fleets and national grids. In regions like Southeast Asia and South America where CAMC exports its trucks， such integration could provide sustainable fueling solutions even in areas with less developed electricity networks.

In the long term, hydrogen infrastructure is expected to evolve beyond fueling stations into comprehensive supply chains involving production, storage, transport, and distribution. Pipelines will deliver hydrogen directly to industrial centers, while modular refueling units may provide mobile solutions for remote sites such as mines or construction projects. For off-highway applications, hydrogen-powered CAMC dump trucks and mixers could be refueled directly on-site, eliminating downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.