At the end of May 2025, Düsseldorf quietly reached a major milestone in hydrogen infrastructure. The city opened one of Europe’s most advanced hydrogen refueling stations. This marks a significant step forward for clean transportation, not only for Düsseldorf but for the entire region.
A Station Designed for High Demand
Located near Rheinbahn’s Lierenfeld depot on Höherweg, the new station can supply up to five tonnes of hydrogen daily. It features a patent-pending technology that allows filling at different pressure levels. This means it can serve various vehicles—from buses and trucks to private hydrogen cars—quickly and efficiently without long waits.
The project is led by H2 MOBILITY, the operator of Europe’s largest hydrogen station network. This new station is a major upgrade over older ones that struggled to meet the needs of today’s expanding clean vehicle fleet. It is larger, faster, and more adaptable, perfectly suited for the advancing fuel cell market.
Strong Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors
The station is a result of successful teamwork. H2 MOBILITY built and manages it. Stadtwerke Düsseldorf supplies the green hydrogen. Rheinbahn, the local public transport company, already operates 20 hydrogen buses in the city. By placing the station next to Rheinbahn’s depot, bus refueling times have significantly improved, helping maintain reliable schedules.
Rheinbahn plans to expand its zero-emission bus fleet in the future, and this station will play a key role in supporting that growth.
Locally Produced Green Hydrogen by 2026
Currently, the hydrogen delivered to the station comes from outside sources. However, this will change by 2026. Stadtwerke Düsseldorf is constructing a 2 MW electrolyzer powered by electricity from the city’s waste-to-energy plant. This electricity partly comes from biogenic materials in local waste, turning trash into clean hydrogen fuel. This initiative will create a circular energy system, making Düsseldorf’s fuel supply more sustainable and locally sourced.
Supported by Government Policy and Investment
The development of this station and the upcoming electrolyzer is supported by Germany’s National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP2), managed by NOW GmbH. Public funding has been vital for advancing zero-emission solutions, especially in sectors like freight and logistics, where electric alternatives face limitations.
This effort is part of a wider strategy to make hydrogen-powered transport competitive with diesel, particularly for heavy vehicles that cannot easily switch to batteries.
A Model for Other European Cities
Düsseldorf, with over 620,000 residents and as the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, aims to be carbon neutral by 2035. The new hydrogen station directly supports this goal by improving air quality, reducing noise, and increasing energy independence.
The station’s success could serve as a blueprint for other European cities. Its combination of advanced vehicle infrastructure, local green hydrogen production, and thoughtful urban planning highlights a clear path toward sustainable urban transport.
Looking Ahead
This new station is more than just a refueling point—it is a landmark in the transition to clean energy. H2 MOBILITY aims to supply only renewable hydrogen by 2028, while Stadtwerke Düsseldorf continues to innovate in low-carbon hydrogen production.
Düsseldorf’s approach is local, scalable, and designed to meet the needs of the fleets that keep cities moving. It sets a high standard for clean transport infrastructure across Europe.
