As it does every year, France Hydrogène presented an update on the hydrogen sector at Hyvolution. While electrolysis capacity is growing steadily, hydrogen mobility is becoming a tangible reality, with a significant increase in the number of hydrogen stations.
A Rapid Expansion of Hydrogen Stations
The sector has seen remarkable dynamism, with numerous stations opening in 2024. This growth was particularly prominent in the Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions. France now boasts 80 operational hydrogen stations, including 64 dedicated to road transport. Among these, 17 stations produce renewable hydrogen directly on-site. The network is rapidly expanding, with 91 additional stations identified in development pipelines.
A Surge in Hydrogen-Powered Taxis
Mobility figures highlight more than 2,000 hydrogen vehicles on French roads, including over 1,600 light vehicles. In 2024 alone, 529 passenger cars and 124 light commercial vehicles were added to the existing fleet of 955 light vehicles from 2023. A major milestone came with Toyota’s deployment of 500 Mirai hydrogen taxis for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, doubling the fleet to 1,000 hydrogen taxis in the capital. This accounts for 5% of Paris’s taxi fleet, setting a global record for hydrogen-powered taxis.
Retrofitting Gains Traction in Heavy Mobility
In the heavy mobility segment, the end of 2024 let France operating 58 hydrogen buses, 7 rubbish lorries, 5 HGVs, and 13 coaches. Hydrogen retrofitting has started to move towards mass production, with the approval of several vehicles marking a turning point for the sector. In maritime and river mobility, 3 hydrogen-powered boats are now operational. Notable milestones in 2024 included the christening of the Alba fishing vessel in Corsica and the launch of Sogestran’s Zulu 06 H2 self-propelled river boat.
Growth in Stationary Hydrogen Power
Hydrogen production has also advanced significantly. Installed production capacity reached 35 MW, supported by recharging stations with integrated on-site production, such as those in Belfort, Dijon, and the Hypster project site in Étrez. Projects currently in operation, under construction, or with final investment decisions have a combined capacity of 315 MW.
Stationary hydrogen power is also on the rise, with 41 new facilities commissioned in 2024, bringing the national total to 124. These facilities collectively deliver a capacity equivalent to 7 MW, reflecting the growing importance of hydrogen in stationary energy applications.
The France Hydrogène Barometer underscores the sector’s rapid progress and its growing role in achieving France’s decarbonisation goals, particularly in mobility and energy production.
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