Düsseldorf, 26 May 2025 | H2 MOBILITY, together with Rheinbahn and Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, today inaugurated Europe’s most powerful hydrogen refuelling station. The launch was attended by Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf’s Lord Mayor Dr Stephan Keller, and Dagmar Fehler, Spokesperson and CEO of NOW GmbH, which coordinates the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport’s funding programme.
The new facility on Höherweg sets new standards for hydrogen mobility, with a daily capacity of up to five tonnes of hydrogen—significantly exceeding the performance of first-generation hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany. Thanks to proprietary high-performance technology, up to three vehicles can be refuelled simultaneously, including buses, trucks, passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This pioneering project is made possible by a close partnership between H2 MOBILITY, Stadtwerke Düsseldorf and Rheinbahn, who have jointly implemented hydrogen production, infrastructure and demand within a single integrated concept.
Christian Hirte, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV): “The opening of Europe’s most powerful hydrogen refuelling station is a strong signal for the ramp-up of hydrogen mobility in Germany—and for the cooperation of committed local partners. With our funding, we are providing targeted impetus for the development of regional hydrogen ecosystems that enable innovation, create added value locally and strengthen Germany’s technological competitiveness. Because one thing is clear: we can only achieve our climate targets with innovation, infrastructure and cooperation—and that is exactly what this project stands for.” The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia views the project as a key milestone in the decarbonisation of the transport sector. Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, commented: “In areas that are difficult to electrify—especially where battery-electric drives reach their limits—hydrogen helps reduce emissions. Hydrogen-powered vehicles offer key advantages in public transport and heavy-duty freight thanks to short refuelling times and extended ranges. To ensure fuel cell buses and trucks become a practical reality, we need affordable vehicles, a dense network of hydrogen refuelling stations and sufficient supplies of green hydrogen. The state is actively advancing this infrastructure, supporting hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy-duty vehicles and launching market ramp-up initiatives such as ‘1,000 Fuel Cell Buses NRW’ and ‘HyTrucks.NRW’—important steps towards climate-neutral mobility.” The expansion of hydrogen mobility in North Rhine-Westphalia is supported by NRW.Energy4Climate, the state energy agency, which plays a central role in developing regional hydrogen ecosystems. The new station is a key component of Düsseldorf’s urban mobility and climate protection strategy. The city has set an ambitious goal to become climate-neutral by 2035. Lord Mayor Dr Stephan Keller stated: “The launch of this high-performance hydrogen refuelling station on Höherweg demonstrates that Düsseldorf is on the right path toward our goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2035. By consistently strengthening public transport, we are offering increasingly viable alternatives to private vehicle use. The deployment of hydrogen and electric buses within the Rheinbahn fleet, along with the necessary infrastructure, is a win for both climate protection and modern urban mobility. I would like to thank all partners involved.” Frank Fronzke, Managing Director and COO of H2 MOBILITY, added: “This station marks a milestone for hydrogen mobility in Europe. It represents a new generation of hydrogen refuelling stations, with more dispensers for 350, 500 and 700 bar, greater hydrogen volumes and significantly higher performance. Our innovative high-performance technology enables fast, flexible refuelling for buses, trucks and passenger cars, making a tangible contribution to the transport transition. This project demonstrates how cooperation between business and government can accelerate innovation.” Climate-Friendly Hydrogen from the Outset Until the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf electrolyser is operational next year, the hydrogen refuelling station will be supplied with renewable hydrogen (RFNBO) from a certified source powered exclusively by renewable electricity. As such, the hydrogen mobility solutions at this site have been designed with sustainability in mind from day one. Beginning in 2026, the station will be directly supplied with locally generated hydrogen produced using energy from waste via the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf electrolyser. The electricity for this process comes from the biogenic fraction of the utility’s waste-to-energy plant—creating a local, circular energy loop and a flagship example of urban sector coupling. This regional energy cycle will significantly and sustainably reduce emissions. Julien Mounier, Chairman of the Board of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, noted: “I am pleased that we have jointly developed and implemented this project. What sets this hydrogen refuelling station apart is that from next year, it will be supplied exclusively with hydrogen produced locally by Stadtwerke Düsseldorf. To that end, we are constructing a two-megawatt electrolyser directly behind the station. This enhances regional value creation and eliminates CO₂ emissions associated with hydrogen transport. Together, we are making a substantial contribution to decarbonising Düsseldorf’s transport sector.” For Rheinbahn, which already operates 20 hydrogen buses as part of its decarbonisation strategy, the new hydrogen refuelling station near the Lierenfeld depot represents vital infrastructure. Annette Grabbe, Member of the Executive Board of Rheinbahn, stated: “Hydrogen is an essential component of our strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions. We are investing strategically in this future technology to transform public transport in Düsseldorf and the surrounding region. The new hydrogen refuelling station represents another milestone in our journey toward zero-emission mobility. Its commissioning ensures that we are now optimally positioned to refuel our hydrogen buses flexibly and efficiently for reliable operations. The vehicles have already proven themselves in daily service—our drivers value their comfort and performance. Together with our strong partners H2 MOBILITY and Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, we are driving the mobility transition forward and making tangible progress towards our regional climate neutrality goals.” A New Generation of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations As H2 MOBILITY celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, the company looks back on a decade of pioneering work in developing a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network. Under the motto TOGETH2ER, H2 MOBILITY is recognising the partnerships that have made hydrogen mobility possible. The new station in Düsseldorf symbolises the progress made over the last ten years: a new generation of hydrogen refuelling stations tailored specifically to the needs of logistics and public transport. With higher performance, shorter refuelling times, and integration of renewable hydrogen sources, H2 MOBILITY is setting new benchmarks for sustainable mobility in Europe. The hydrogen refuelling station and electrolyser are being funded under the “Market Activation Measures” guideline as part of Phase 2 of the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP2), managed by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV). The funding programme is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ). Funding amounts total €3,137,000 for the hydrogen refuelling station in Düsseldorf-Höherweg (HyLight3) and €1,212,000 for the electrolyser. H2 MOBILITY H2 MOBILITY is a pioneer in the development of public hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and Europe’s largest operator of hydrogen refuelling stations. Its areas of business include technical development, financing, planning, construction, marketing and operation of hydrogen stations. The company is also increasingly active in the services sector, offering consulting, station construction and operations, calibration and quality assurance. Founded in 2015 as a project company to promote hydrogen as an emission-free fuel for road transport, H2 MOBILITY transitioned in 2022 into a long-term, commercially focused enterprise. Its mission is to contribute to the energy transition in transport through high-performance hydrogen refuelling solutions. H2 MOBILITY aims to transition fully to renewable hydrogen by 2028. About Stadtwerke Düsseldorf Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG has been providing electricity, gas, water, and district heating services for more than 150 years and is responsible for waste disposal in the state capital. As one of Germany’s largest municipal utilities, the company supplies around 600,000 customers. With over 3,100 employees, Stadtwerke is a major employer in Düsseldorf, embodying both tradition and innovation. Its operations are consistently aligned with evolving market needs and the demands of a growing metropolitan region. About Rheinbahn Rheinbahn is more than just a public transport provider—it is a vital link for an entire region. Since 1896, Rheinbahn has connected people, places, and daily life. Today, the company serves Düsseldorf, the district of Mettmann and the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, transporting over 500,000 people daily. With more than 3,700 employees from 61 nations, Rheinbahn is one of the largest employers in the region. Its 320 trams and light rail vehicles and nearly 500 buses operate 135 lines across approximately 570 square kilometres. Serving over 1,700 stops, Rheinbahn symbolically circles the Earth three times each day—reliably, safely, and sustainably. The company offers human-centred mobility that bridges generations, backgrounds, and urban and rural spaces. Press contact: H2 MOBILITY: Daniela Dietz – presse@h2-mobility.de Stadtwerke Düsseldorf: Tanja Albrecht – talbrecht@swd-ag.de Rheinbahn: Heike Schuster – heike.schuster@rheinbahn.de Image: Copyright (c) H2 MOBILITY; from left to right:Hydrogen demand from the 350-bar commercial vehicle segment continues to grow. Numerous companies in Germany are already operating hydrogen-powered lorries in daily service—such as the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell. Many rely on flexible rental models like those offered by Cologne-based company hylane. Other providers, such as PAUL Nutzfahrzeuge, also offer production-ready, subsidy-eligible hydrogen trucks for purchase or lease, including the PH2P Truck. (c) H2 MOBILITY