In the second half of the energy revolution, interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is resurging. Recently, GAC Group successfully delivered 340 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, marking a significant milestone in the commercial deployment of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
According to a representative from GAC, “The delivered vehicles are equipped with a 130kW hydrogen fuel cell engine.” Following a stock transfer in 2024, GAC plans to prioritize the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, having already launched a series of products including dump trucks, box trucks, refrigerated trucks, and sanitation vehicles. These vehicles will be utilized in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and urban clusters in Guangdong, primarily for logistics and municipal services.
Earlier in January, BMW announced that its first mass-produced hydrogen vehicle, the iX5 Hydrogen, based on the CLAR platform, is set to launch in 2028. This model will be produced at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina alongside gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and electric versions of the X5. Additionally, the Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Conference unveiled the “61020” initiative, which includes a 400kW hydrogen fuel cell stack developed by Dongfeng Motor Group as one of the province’s 20 key innovative products. This company is also collaborating with Honda to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles in existing logistics routes in Wuhan, with plans to expand to cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai.
“Developing the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle industry has become a global consensus,” said Ye Shengji, Chief Engineer of the China Automobile Association. He emphasized that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which produce almost zero pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during operation, are viewed as a clean and efficient secondary energy application and are a primary direction for the transformation and upgrading of China’s automotive industry.
The “China Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Industrialization Development Report (2025)” indicates that by the end of 2025, the country is expected to have approximately 30,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the road, with over 70% of core components domestically sourced. This reflects an expansion in the production capacity of domestic fuel cell stacks and systems. It is projected that by 2027, advancements in technology and increased production capacity will reduce the cost of fuel cell systems by more than 40%.
Special policies and plans to promote the hydrogen energy industry are rapidly being implemented across various regions. On January 6, the General Office of the Henan Provincial Government issued a set of policy measures aimed at fostering a strong economic start in the first quarter of 2026. Notably, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, hydrogen-powered trucks will be exempt from tolls on highways in Henan Province. Furthermore, the “Chongqing Hydrogen Station Industry Development Plan (2025-2035)” mentions that by 2035, the city plans to build 60 new hydrogen stations, bringing the total to 72 stations, with a hydrogen supply capacity of 25 million kilograms per year.
Hydrogen energy is also being prioritized in the “14th Five-Year Plan” recommendations from various regions, with nearly 20 provinces identifying the development of the hydrogen energy industry as a new economic growth driver. For instance, Hefei City released recommendations for its 14th Five-Year Plan on January 8, highlighting the promotion of hydrogen and ammonia technologies, as well as the integration of advanced nuclear technologies.
According to Zhang Jinhua, President of the China Society of Automotive Engineers, “China has established a relatively complete industrial chain system for hydrogen energy, encompassing production, storage, transportation, refueling, fuel cell stacks, bipolar plates, and other core components, up to vehicle manufacturing.”
According to a report by CITIC Securities, during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, hydrogen energy is expected to gradually enter the industrialization stage, supported by favorable policies.
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