Germany – BMV invests in climate-friendly heavy goods transport – 220 million euros for hydrogen filling stations and vehicles
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) is promoting the development of an initial network of hydrogen refueling stations for commercial vehicles and the purchase of commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen. The aim is a reliable market ramp-up and greater climate protection in heavy goods transport.
The German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) is launching funding today for the development of an initial network for refueling heavy commercial vehicles with hydrogen in Germany. The BMV is providing a total of €220 million for this project . The project funding is being coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by the Jülich Project Management Agency (PtJ).
The focus is on a combined funding approach that links the construction of publicly accessible hydrogen refueling stations with the procurement of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. This approach ensures that new stations have sufficient baseline utilization from the outset, while simultaneously providing freight forwarding and logistics companies with a reliable refueling option. Hydrogen refueling stations must meet the requirements of the European AFIR regulation; up to 50 percent of eligible expenses are eligible for funding. New vehicles in classes N2 and N3 with hydrogen-based propulsion (fuel cell or combustion engine) can be subsidized with up to 80 percent of the eligible additional investment costs compared to a comparable diesel vehicle.
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, said:
Hydrogen plays a crucial role – technically, economically, and geopolitically – in climate-friendly heavy goods transport and is a valuable complement to battery-electric drives.
”That’s why we agreed in the coalition agreement to promote a hydrogen refueling infrastructure to support the German automotive industry. Today, we are putting this into practice: We are funding hydrogen refueling stations and – in conjunction with these stations – hydrogen-powered trucks. This solves the chicken-and-egg problem: Truck drivers will have reliable refueling options, and the stations will be fully utilized from the outset. Step by step, a reliable basic network will be created – an important piece of the puzzle for the transition to climate-friendly drives in heavy goods transport. This will make the switch easier for freight forwarders and logistics companies.”
Dagmar Fehler, CEO and spokesperson of NOW GmbH, said:
Hydrogen is a key component for climate-friendly mobility in heavy goods transport. Economic viability is essential for market success.
”With this combined funding, the BMV is creating the conditions to support companies with an attractive and sustainable investment in infrastructure and vehicles.”
All information regarding the application process, including templates, the documents required for the application and a checklist, can be found on the project sponsor’s website .
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the easy online portal from now until May 31, 2026 .
Email inquiries can be sent to the following address: ptj-NIP-MA@fz-juelich.de .
An online seminar on the package funding program will take place on February 17th at 9:30 a.m. Registration is available here .
Information from NOW regarding the current funding call is now available here .
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Germany – BMV invests in climate-friendly heavy goods transport – 220 million euros for hydrogen filling stations and vehicles, source
