Three departments carry out pilot work on the comprehensive application of hydrogen energy to promote the large-scale development of hydrogen energy in various fields

On March 16, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission recently jointly issued the “Notice on Conducting Pilot Work for Comprehensive Hydrogen Energy Applications.” The “Notice” proposes that by 2030, hydrogen energy in urban clusters will achieve large-scale application across multiple fields, with the average price of terminal hydrogen use reduced to below 25 yuan per kilogram, aiming to lower it to around 15 yuan per kilogram in some advantageous regions; the national fuel cell vehicle fleet will double compared to 2025, striving to reach 100,000 vehicles. The goal is to promote breakthroughs in hydrogen energy application technologies, processes, and equipment, making hydrogen a new driver of economic growth.

Building a “1+N+X” Application Ecosystem

The head of the Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that China’s hydrogen energy industry has achieved a breakthrough from “0” to “1,” entering a critical stage of crossing the technological and economic inflection point and rapid large-scale development. At the same time, hydrogen energy applications face challenges such as limited scenarios, shortage of green hydrogen, high costs, and difficulties in storage, transportation, and refueling. The market demand is yet to be fully released, and a sustainable, focused national effort is needed to support and promote application-driven development, identifying and solving problems through practical use.

The “Notice” clarifies that each urban cluster should prioritize pilot projects in applicable scenarios such as fuel cell vehicles, green ammonia and methanol, hydrogen-based chemical raw materials substitution, hydrogen metallurgy, and hydrogen-blended combustion. They should actively explore innovative hydrogen energy application scenarios to form a comprehensive hydrogen energy application ecosystem consisting of “one general fuel cell vehicle scenario + N industrial application scenarios + X innovative application scenarios.”

Among these, the one general fuel cell vehicle scenario emphasizes pilot promotion of medium and heavy-duty trucks, long-distance vehicles, and cold chain logistics. These scenarios are economically viable in regions rich in hydrogen resources, can complement pure electric vehicles, and help enhance the resilience and safety of China’s new energy vehicle industry chain.

The N industrial application scenarios focus on large-scale use of green ammonia and methanol, hydrogen-based chemical raw materials substitution, hydrogen metallurgy, and hydrogen-blended combustion. These scenarios involve large hydrogen consumption, which can drive rapid cost reductions through economies of scale. Several projects in different regions have already begun operation, providing early advantages for large-scale hydrogen energy application.

The X innovative application scenarios include ships, aviation, rail transit, and two-wheeled vehicles. These are currently in small-scale demonstration and validation stages but are characterized by strong technological innovation and potential for development, representing important future directions for hydrogen energy applications.

Pilot Projects Centered on Urban Clusters

The “Notice” requires that comprehensive hydrogen energy application pilot projects be initiated primarily within urban clusters, which should leverage their resource conditions and adapt to local circumstances—“where hydrogen is suitable, hydrogen should be used”—to avoid overlapping and low-level repetitive construction across scenarios. The central government will provide reward funds through a “performance-based” approach. The reward standards will be set based on the application of terminal products or hydrogen use scale, with each urban cluster pilot lasting four years. The maximum reward for a single urban cluster pilot will not exceed 1.6 billion yuan.

Additionally, the “Notice” emphasizes establishing and improving safety management systems to ensure safety while advancing pilot work. It encourages pilot cities to actively introduce supportive policies and increase R&D support for key technologies and equipment related to hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization. It also calls for improving policy and institutional environments and facilitating policies that make fuel cell vehicle passage easier across cities.

The responsible official noted that by the end of 2025, China’s cumulative sales of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will approach 40,000 units, with 574 hydrogen refueling stations built and a daily hydrogen refueling capacity exceeding 360 tons, ranking first globally.