Automotive E-SSENTIALS

Another record number of newly opened hydrogen refuelling stations in 2021

In 2021, 142 hydrogen refuelling stations went into operation worldwide, again more than ever before. 37 new hydrogen stations were opened in Europe, 89 in Asia, and 13 in North America. This is the result of the 14th annual assessment of H2stations.org, an information service of Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST). Meanwhile hydrogen refuelling is possible in 33 countries.

At the end of 2021, 685 hydrogen refuelling stations were in operation worldwide. Concrete plans are already in place for 252 additional refuelling station locations. Particularly noteworthy are Spain and New Zealand, both having announced concrete locations for several new stations for the first time. Hungary and Slovenia were newly added to the list of countries offering hydrogen refuelling facilities. You can now fill up with hydrogen in 33 countries.

Europe had 228 hydrogen stations at the end of last year, 101 of which are in Germany. France is still second in Europe with 41 operating stations, followed by the UK with 19, Switzerland with 12, and the Netherlands with 11 stations.

At the end of 2021, there were 363 hydrogen stations in Asia, 159 of them in Japan, and 95 in Korea. Unlike most other countries, the 105 Chinese hydrogen stations in the LBST database are used almost exclusively for the refuelling of buses or truck fleets. Korea recorded the most openings in 2021 with 36 new filling stations and is increasingly expanding the infrastructure for all fuel cell electric vehicles.

The majority of the 86 hydrogen stations in North America continues to be located in California with 60 operating stations. In 2021, 11 new filling stations went into operation there.

Interactive location maps and individual evaluations

Using interactive maps, H2stations.org (www.H2stations.org) is the most comprehensive site for information globally on all hydrogen refuelling stations, whether in operation, planned or already shut down, including a summary on recent changes. With its information on already closed stations, H2stations.org is unique in also providing a view on the development history of the hydrogen infrastructure. Statistics on the development of the infrastructure complete the range of information.

The website draws on an extensive database which has been maintained and continuously updated since 2005 with new stations as well as with extensive additional information on already existing sites. All in all, it contains detailed information on meanwhile more than 1500 refuelling stations globally. “Despite the increasing maintenance effort, we still continue to provide basic information free of charge for non-commercial use”, says LBST Managing Director Uwe Albrecht. “We offer commercial users to license the data including further detailed information, regular reports on new developments, technologies and markets, and bespoke analyses.”

Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, an associated company of TÜV SÜD AG, is an international expert consultant for sustainable energy and mobility. With its expertise bridging technologies, markets, and policy the company supports international clients from industry 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 fields of energy and mobility and appreciate its comprehensive competence especially in hydrogen. Over three decades of continuous experience from the interdisciplinary team of renowned experts form the basis of LBST's extensive expertise. Further information: https://en.lbst.de/

The high-resolution maps can be found at https://www.h2stations.org/press-releases/