As hydrogen infrastructure is rolled out in the EU, refuelling stations must be distributed according to the same principle in all countries. But now a study from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden points to shortcomings in EU regulations. Using an advanced model, the researchers show that the distribution of refuelling stations may both be incorrectly dimensioned and lead to losses of tens of millions of euros a year in some countries.
By 2030, EU countries must have built hydrogen refuelling stations at least every 200 kilometres on major roads and one in every urban node. The aim is to facilitate the introduction of hydrogen-powered transport. This is governed by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation ( AFIR) , which entered into force in 2023.
However, a study from Chalmers, based on data from 600,000 freight routes across Europe, shows that in many cases the requirements do not reflect actual demand. By modelling how hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks might operate in 2050, the researchers show not only where demand for hydrogen infrastructure will be highest, but also how current EU rules risk leading to large losses in some countries.
"EU law is based on distance, but traffic volumes differ in other ways between countries. According to our model, capacity in France needs to be seven times higher in 2050 than what the EU requires by 2030. Consequently, the rollout under AFIR works as a first step on the way, but will need to be supplemented," says Joel Löfving, doctoral student at the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences at Chalmers.
However, countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Greece do not have the same traffic flows and they are being forced to build infrastructure that is unlikely to be used to the same extent. This may amount to tens of millions of euros a year in investment and operating costs for unused capacity.
Accurate simulation reflects demand
In addition to taking into account traffic volumes and distances, the Chalmers study includes topographical data from the European Space Agency. One important insight is that geographical terrain plays a greater role in energy demand than was previously assumed.
"Many models use an average energy demand per kilometre for trucks. But the demand profile changes markedly when parameters such as gradient and speed are included. This gives you a more accurate basis for where the infrastructure may actually be needed," says Joel Löfving.
The study focused on long-haul traffic, i.e. distances of more than 360 kilometres, as shorter distances are likely to be covered by battery-powered goods vehicles in the future.
"We considered the direction of technology development for trucks. Much of the current research shows that batteries will be able to cover the shorter distances, while alternatives such as hydrogen may be needed as a supplement for long distances," says Joel Löfving.
Political interest in demand-based rollout
The researchers' model looks further than the 2030 requirements and analyses how investments in hydrogen infrastructure can be sustainable in the long term. The study has already been used to inform political discussions in both Sweden and the EU on how to plan the rollout of hydrogen infrastructure.
"At EU level, we have been able to provide feedback for the evaluation of AFIR that will take place in 2026, and my hope is to influence the development of the law in a way that takes into account each country's specific circumstances. For Sweden, AFIR is a good start, but investing in expensive new technology is always risky. Because the study has a longer time frame, we have been able to contribute to the discussion on how to build an economically sustainable refuelling station network that will eventually make it easier to create a market for heavy hydrogen vehicles," says Löfving.
More about the research:
The study Geospatial distribution of hydrogen demand and refueling infrastructure for long-haul trucks in Europe has been published in the International journal of hydrogen energy. The authors are Joel Löfving, Selma Brynolf and Maria Grahn, all of whom work at Chalmers.
The study was carried out within the framework of TechForH2 , a Chalmers-led centre of excellence for multidisciplinary hydrogen research with the overall aim of developing new hydrogen propulsion technologies for heavy vehicles. It is also part of a larger research project that aims to analyse the systemic effects of a transition to hydrogen in the transport sector.
Facts about AFIR:
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation ( AFIR ) is part of the EU's 'Fit for 55' climate package, a legislative package that aims to reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This will contribute to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
AFIR entered into force in 2023 and its aim is to develop alternative fuels infrastructure, including electricity and hydrogen, along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Under AFIR, from 2030, EU Member States will have to build hydrogen refuelling stations at least every 200 kilometres along the TEN-T network and in all urban nodes.
