China’s hydrogen energy industry is accelerating its shift toward large-scale commercial deployment, supported by new technologies aimed at reducing production and storage costs.

At the 10th International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicle Congress, companies across the hydrogen value chain showcased innovations designed to improve efficiency and lower costs. During the 2026–2030 period, hydrogen has been identified as a future industry and a new engine of economic growth, with national targets calling for 100,000 fuel-cell vehicles on the road and end-user hydrogen prices to fall below 25 yuan per kilogram by 2030.

Industry efforts are increasingly focused on harnessing surplus renewable energy to produce lower-cost hydrogen, while advances in carbon-fibre composite storage and transport equipment are boosting hydrogen storage density by up to 1.5 times.

China’s hydrogen sector has expanded rapidly, with hydrogen-powered vehicle sales reaching 39,000 units and refuelling stations growing to 590 by the end of 2025. Applications now extend across ports, industrial parks, public transport and logistics, signalling growing momentum toward wider commercial adoption.