United States: DOE allocates USD 62 million for hydrogen in transport

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is investing USD 62 million to develop hydrogen refueling infrastructures for heavy-duty vehicles, focusing on innovation and cost optimization in the transport sector.

Partagez:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is committing $62 million as part of its initiative to accelerate the energy transition, focusing on heavy-duty transportation.
The 20 selected projects, spread across 15 states, focus primarily on the development of hydrogen refueling stations, considered essential to strengthening the country’s hydrogen fuel infrastructure.
Of this total, $40 million is earmarked for four refueling station projects in New York, Connecticut, California and Arizona.
The aim is to create “low-cost, standardized and replaceable” stations, adapted to the growing needs of the freight transport sector.
David Crane, Under Secretary for Infrastructure at the DOE, points out that hydrogen is positioning itself as a key solution for heavy-duty mobility applications, due to its flexibility and potential to offer competitive alternatives to traditional fuels.
Unlike light vehicles, for which hydrogen costs remain high, heavy-duty vehicles benefit from more competitive hydrogen fuel prices, ranging from 7 to 15 USD per kilogram.
This price difference, combined with long-term supply contracts and higher purchase volumes, is driving the focus on this market segment.

Optimizing refueling components and implementation issues

In addition to refueling stations, the DOE is investing $8.5 million in projects to develop advanced components for hydrogen refueling.
Projects in states such as Washington, North Carolina, Illinois and Massachusetts seek to improve equipment efficiency, reduce costs and increase the reliability of hydrogen infrastructures.
These efforts are strengthening the integration of hydrogen into heavy transport supply chains, and making it a more attractive option for commercial fleet operators.
To facilitate the development of these infrastructures, the DOE is also allocating $7 million to implementation management initiatives.
These projects aim to identify and resolve barriers to locating, permitting and installing new hydrogen technologies.
This support includes research into the challenges of regulatory implementation, seen as a major brake on the rapid expansion of hydrogen in heavy-duty transportation.

Community involvement programs and practical applications

Another important dimension of the DOE initiative is support for local stakeholder engagement.
A budget of $4 million is dedicated to programs aimed at improving understanding and acceptance of hydrogen by local communities and businesses.
These projects include raising awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of hydrogen, without neglecting the specific needs of the regions and industrial sectors concerned.
Among the notable initiatives, a project in Georgia is receiving $2.5 million to test the use of a hydrogen fuel cell for a top loader and mobile bunker at the Port of Oakland. The project represents a practical example of the use of hydrogen in complex logistics environments, demonstrating the fuel’s versatility beyond simple road transport applications.
These experiments could provide models for the future development of industrial infrastructures using hydrogen.

Cost analysis and impact on the transport sector

Hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles presents a tangible economic opportunity, supported by analyses from S&P Global Commodity Insights.
In California, the average price of hydrogen for light vehicles is around 33.77 USD/kg, which is significantly higher than prices for heavy-duty vehicles.
This creates a favorable market environment for heavy-duty vehicles, where hydrogen can compete with fossil fuels, especially when costs are locked in by long-term contracts and supply is on a large scale.
The DOE’s focus on developing hydrogen refueling stations, optimizing components, and managing regulatory implementation challenges is helping to solidify hydrogen’s position as the fuel of the future for heavy-duty transport.
By combining these elements, industry players are seeking to create an ecosystem of infrastructure and public policy that encourages wider adoption of this energy source.
The projects currently being funded demonstrate the desire to build an infrastructure capable of supporting the growing demand for hydrogen, while strengthening the competitiveness of US companies in the global sustainable transportation market.
By supporting both technological innovations and community initiatives, the DOE is playing a key role in shaping America’s energy future.

The Polish energy group ORLEN receives a non-repayable grant of €382 million from the National Recovery Plan to finance its renewable and low-emission hydrogen production initiatives.
Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power announce successful completion of an unprecedented test incorporating 50% hydrogen into an advanced gas turbine, reducing CO2 emissions by 22% compared to natural gas alone.
Neoenergia has begun construction of one of Brazil's first green hydrogen plants, aimed at supplying heavy and light vehicles, with an investment exceeding 30 million Brazilian reais ($5.99mn).
The SA-H2 fund, supported by international partnerships and local institutional backing, mobilises 37 million USD to develop export-oriented green hydrogen from South Africa, with an initial concrete project announced.
Turbotech reports successful combustion testing of a hydrogen turboprop, developed through digital simulation with Ansys, marking an industrial milestone in light aircraft using alternative fuel.
France Hydrogène responds to the Cour des Comptes report published on June 5, criticising an incomplete reading of updated targets and the economic impacts of decarbonised hydrogen development.
The Belfort Commercial Court has opened a judicial reorganisation procedure for McPhy, while a renewed call for tenders for its asset sale is now set to close on 13 June.
Plug Power CFO Paul Middleton acquired 650,000 shares on the market, affirming his support for the long-term strategy of the hydrogen-focused company.
The Canadian government is funding an initiative to support 40 SMEs in British Columbia’s hydrogen sector, aiming to increase foreign investment and expand international market share.
Developer CWP Global has paused its $40 billion AMAN project in Mauritania due to a lack of buyers for green ammonia despite favourable local conditions.
A study reveals that the profitability of African green hydrogen exports to the European Union depends on political support from Europe, despite the abundance of ongoing projects on the continent.
Plug Power expands its partnership with Allied Green through a new 2 GW electrolyzer deal tied to a $5.5bn chemical plant in Uzbekistan.
Stargate Hydrogen launches 140 MW factory in Estonia with modular expansion model amid cautious hydrogen investment climate.
The European Commission is considering legal action over RED III delays, as regulatory uncertainty slows renewable hydrogen projects and Union-wide investment.
The Cour des comptes warns of the gap between France’s hydrogen ambitions and the reality of funding and available industrial capacity.
Ballard Power Systems will supply 12 fuel cell modules to Sierra Northern Railway to convert three diesel locomotives into hydrogen-powered units. Delivery is expected during 2025.
Vallourec announces the official qualification of its vertical hydrogen storage solution Delphy by DNV, marking a decisive step towards the commercialisation of this innovative technology.
Chinese group Envision Energy has signed a strategic agreement with Marubeni to supply green ammonia, marking a major milestone in energy trade between China and Japan.
HDF Energy signed two protocols with Indonesian public partners to support the financing and deployment of 23 green hydrogen power plants during Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Jakarta.
Plug Power’s plant in Georgia reached a record output of 300 tonnes of liquid hydrogen in April, marking a key milestone in the company’s industrial deployment of its GenEco electrolyser technology.