A new report says that nearly 5,000 hydrogen fueling stations will be deployed globally by 2032, just as Audi and Mercedes-Benz are getting ready to roll out fuel cell vehicles on the heels of rollouts of hydrogen-powered vehicles by Toyota, Honda and Hyundai.
The research report, “Global Market for Hydrogen Fueling Stations,” says the deployment of hydrogen stations in major markets is in full swing, solidifying prospects for large-scale consumer adoption of fuel cell vehicles. The deployment activity is particularly brisk in Asia, where Japan and Korea are strong proponents of the hydrogen economy.
In Europe, Denmark was the first country to deploy a nationwide hydrogen fueling infrastructure, the report says, but the real charge is being led by Germany, which is establishing 400 hydrogen fueling stations in the next six years.
In the U.S., the state of California is aggressively deploying hydrogen stations as part of its efforts to combat greenhouse-gas emissions.
“Hydrogen is the fuel of the future, and the proliferation of hydrogen stations represents the natural progression from fossil fuels to clean energy,” says Naqi Jaffery, the lead author.
According to the report, the sums of money being poured in hydrogen station deployments is staggering, mostly raised through public-private partnerships.
While the costs of hydrogen stations are declining, their capacities are increasing. By 2032, hydrogen stations will have an aggregate capacity of 3 million kg/day, says the report. The competition for dominance in the fuel cell vehicle market will be vigorous, triggering significant technological innovations and cost declines.
