Fuel of the future? Hydrogen in Germany’s transport sector

Germany’s transport sector is at a crossroads. The industry is under growing pressure to play its part in helping the country meet its Climate Change Act target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% of 1990 levels by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2045.

Will hydrogen play a role in this green revolution? Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, is key to decarbonising the economy and has pledged to drive forward the country’s landmark 2020 National Hydrogen Strategy. Germany has already notched up some notable advances, including the first hydrogen-powered passenger rail service and river tugboat. However, further development of hydrogen transport faces a range of challenges including complicated funding structures, a lack of infrastructure, and competition from cheaper electric vehicle technologies.

This Dods Political Intelligence report, produced by our German team, examines the development of hydrogen-powered transport in Germany, including an overview of the sector and advances in trains, cars, buses, freight, aviation, and shipping.