CEOs Unite to Call on EU Leaders: Accelerate Hydrogen Mobility Now or Risk Europe’s Strategic Resilience

CEOs Unite to Call on EU Leaders: Accelerate Hydrogen Mobility Now or Risk Europe’s Strategic Resilience

Brussels, 2 July 2025 – CEOs from the world’s leading energy, automotive, and technology companies have come together to issue a strong and unified message to European policymakers: Hydrogen mobility is essential to Europe’s climate goals, industrial competitiveness, and strategic resilience – and urgent action is needed on infrastructure buildout.

In a joint letter addressed to EU and Member State leaders, the CEOs urge policymakers to firmly position hydrogen mobility at the heart of Europe’s clean transport and industrial strategies. The letter has been signed by executives from more than 30 companies, from multinationals to smaller vendors that combined span the entire hydrogen mobility ecosystem. It calls for immediate and targeted policy support to unlock investment and scale deployment of hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure across the EU.

CEOs point to three critical issues:

• Hydrogen mobility is a strategic imperative: Complementing battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen technologies are vital to ensuring a diversified, resilient, and cost- effective decarbonisation of road transport. A combined approach could save Europe between 300-500 billion euros in infrastructure costs by 2050. Two mobility infrastructures will be cheaper for Europe than relying on just electrification.
• Hydrogen mobility is a vector for jobs and industrial growth: Europe’s existing industrial strengths in automotive and advanced manufacturing can be leveraged to lead in hydrogen technology, providing up to 500,000 jobs by 2030.
• Hydrogen mobility unlocks critical energy system synergies: Hydrogen enables demand aggregation, supports hard-to-abate sectors, and drastically reduces renewable energy waste.

Despite progress, the CEOs warn that hydrogen mobility in Europe will stagnate unless a more coordinated and pragmatic policy framework is implemented to support the rollout of the necessary infrastructure and achieve the scale needed for the hydrogen mobility market to flourish. For this to happen, hydrogen mobility must form a central element of strategic initiatives such as the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan and Clean Industrial Deal, while the ongoing push to simplify EU regulations can help drive down the cost and complexity of building hydrogen mobility infrastructure.

The full list of alliance signatories is: AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd., Air Liquide, Air Products & Chemicals, Ballard Power Systems Inc., BMW Group, cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG, Cummins Inc. Daimler Truck, Dumarey Automotive Italia S.p.A., EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH, Enagás S.A., Heraeus Precious Metals, Hexagon Purus, Honda Motor co., Ltd., Honeywell, Hy24, Hysetco, Hyundai Motor Group, Iveco Group, Iwatani

Corporation, Johnson Matthey, Lhyfe, Linde plc, MAHLE GmbH, OPmobility, Robert Bosch GmbH, Schaeffler AG, Solaris Bus & Coach, Syensqo, Symbio, The Chemours Company, Toyota Motor Corporation, Tyczka Hydrogen, Valterra Platinum, Virya Energy, Volvo Group, Westport Fuel Systems Inc.

The annex below features selected quotes from CEOs that have signed the letter, for media use

ANNEX: GLOBAL HYDROGEN MOBILITY ALLIANCE – SELECTED CEO QUOTES

François Jackow, CEO, Air Liquide, said:

At Air Liquide, we see hydrogen not only as a key decarbonization lever for industry and mobility, but also as a pillar for future energy and industrial resilience.

“Europe needs a bolder, more pragmatic plan to really accelerate the deployment of hydrogen at scale in mobility. We are committed to continue moving forward, hand in hand with our partners in the automotive industry and public sector.”

Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board, BMW Group, said:

In today’s geopolitical and industrial context, hydrogen is not just a climate solution – it’s a resilience enabler for Europe.

“At BMW, we are investing in our own hydrogen vehicle program while supporting ecosystems and refueling infrastructure. We are contributing to a broader vision for Europe that reduces critical raw material dependencies and strengthens industrial sovereignty. At BMW, we know there is no full decarbonisation or competitive European mobility sector without hydrogen.”

Nicholas Loughlan, CTO & Management Board Spokesperson, cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG, said:

Heavy-Duty Long-Haul Trucking is the recognized prime hydrogen automotive use case and Heavy-Duty fuel cell systems are the core technology.

cellcentric is a 50:50 joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group AB and has been a leading global company in the fuel cell technology for nearly 30 years. By industrializing this technology facilitated by a synchronized ramp up of hydrogen infrastructure and hand-in-hand with supporting political framework across the entire value chain, Europe can establish a competitive sustainable hydrogen industry. It can secure and create about 500,000 jobs in Europe by 2030. The only prerequisite: it must happen now.”

Karin Rådström, CEO, Daimler Truck, said:

Hydrogen trucks are the perfect complement to battery-electric ones—offering long ranges, fast refueling, and a big opportunity for Europe.

“We lead in hydrogen tech, and we’ll stay ahead if we act now—across the full value chain.”

Dr. Gernot Stellberger, CEO, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, said:

Hydrogen mobility is ready for deployment, but it requires decisive policy support to bridge the initial cost gap.

“At EKPO, we make the fuel cell competitive – in terms of performance, cost and reliability. Building on our long-standing heritage as an automotive supplier, our fuel cells help ensure that a scaled-up Hydroge infrastructure represents technically, economically and environmentally a tried and tested complement to other fuel sources for the mobility of the future.”

Morten Holum, President and CEO, Hexagon Purus, said:

Without a safe and efficient hydrogen infrastructure consisting of storage and transport solutions, there can be no widespread hydrogen mobility.

“Our technology is already in use in Germany and across Europe and is key to scaling up hydrogen mobility.”

Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair, Hyundai Motor Group, said:

We sincerely welcome this groundbreaking alliance as a meaningful step forward in accelerating the global transition to hydrogen mobility.

“Hyundai’s commitment to real- world application is evident – our fleet of around 200 hydrogen-powered trucks has collectively driven over 15 million kilometers across Europe, demonstrating both the reliability and scalability of hydrogen in commercial logistics. Rooted in mobility and expanding into energy, Hyundai is accelerating the energy transition through HTWO – our hydrogen brand and business platform that unites partners, investors and industries. Together with our alliance members, we are turning hydrogen vision into reality and driving global action toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

Liam Condon, CEO, Johnson Matthey, said:

Hydrogen fuel cells are vital to Europe’s clean energy transition.

They offer a practical solution for decarbonising transport, particularly in sectors where battery- electric options may not suffice. At Johnson Matthey, our expertise in hydrogen technologies supports the development of efficient and durable fuel cells, enabling their widespread adoption. By advancing hydrogen mobility, we contribute to reducing emissions, enhancing energy resilience, and fostering sustainable economic growth and job creation across Europe.”

Sanjiv Lamba, CEO, Linde, said:

Making mobility more sustainable requires many solutions, as no single approach can solve the challenge alone.

“Hydrogen is a key option for cleaner transport and by working together — industry, manufacturers and governments — we can fully unlock its potential.”

Arnd Franz, CEO, MAHLE GmbH, said:

Hydrogen is not just an alternative fuel – it’s an essential pillar of tomorrow’s mobility and energy ecosystem.

“Whether powering hydrogen engines or fuel cells, this technology will be indispensable for achieving truly sustainable transportation. The future of mobility will not be complete without hydrogen.”

Laurent Favre, CEO of OPmobility, said:

OPmobility has been committed for a decade to hydrogen as a relevant solution for decarbonizing mobility, especially in heavy-duty and intensive mobility.

“To support this ambition, OPmobility has built industrial capabilities aligned with automotive standards, with, notably, the flagship site of Lachelle in France, our European center of excellence for R&D and Europe’s largest hydrogen vessels factory. All the technology now needs to take off is the confirmation of public authorities’ support.This is not only essential to scale-up the market but also represents a strategic opportunity to create jobs and strengthen mobility industry in Europe.”

Dr. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board, Robert Bosch GmbH, said:

At Bosch, we view hydrogen as an essential pillar of Europe’s future energy and mobility landscape.

“Our investments in technologies along the entire hydrogen chain build on Germany’s world-class engineering expertise while deepening partnerships with leading mobility innovators across Europe. Together, we are creating a pan- European hydrogen ecosystem, supporting skilled jobs, industrial competitiveness, and the clean transport infrastructure we urgently need. By advancing hydrogen solutions for both mobility and industry, Bosch is helping drive Europe’s climate goals and economic resilience forward. We need clear signals for hydrogen mobility and the necessary refueling infrastructure in Germany and Europe. Hydrogen should be exempt from energy taxes, whether it is refueled in the hydrogen fuel cell or in the hydrogen combustion engine.”

Philippe Rosier, CEO, Symbio, said:

Symbio’s mission is to design and manufacture high-performing, zero-emission fuel cells, to help shape Europe’s hydrogen mobility future.

“We are now joining forces with a much larger group of companies to reinforce the point that the same spirit of collaboration is now needed from policymakers. A clear political commitment to hydrogen mobility, backed by strong public-private cooperation, will anchor investment, sustain jobs, and power our green industrial future.”

Yoshihiro Nakata, President and CEO, Toyota Motor Europe, said:

Europe must meet AFIR target to unlock the potential of hydrogen mobility.

“We all agree that carbon is the enemy, and we can’t fully decarbonise transport without hydrogen. Toyota partners with over 20 EU companies in cars, trucks and other sectors on fuel cell technology and in the establishment of hydrogen mobility eco clusters, such as in Paris. The successful uptake of hydrogen mobility will require a comprehensive refuelling infrastructure to be in place in every EU member state, supported by appropriate derisking measures, in line with the AFIR requirements.”

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CEOs Unite to Call on EU Leaders: Accelerate Hydrogen Mobility Now or Risk Europe’s Strategic Resilience