The German federal government has announced a new funding program to accelerate the rollout of hydrogen infrastructure for heavy-duty transport. Starting in 2026, a national subsidy scheme will support the combined deployment of hydrogen refueling stations for trucks and hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles (categories N2 & N3).

The program will be implemented by NOW GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and has a total budget of €220 MM. Companies can apply for funding until May 31, 2026, covering both the construction of public hydrogen refueling stations and the purchase of hydrogen trucks.

Key elements of the funding scheme

• Total budget: €220 MM
• Hydrogen refueling stations: up to 50% of capital expenditure, with a maximum of €4 MM per site
• Hydrogen vehicles: up to 80% of the additional cost compared to diesel vehicles, with a maximum of €3 MM per application
• Eligible vehicles: both fuel cell trucks and hydrogen combustion engine trucks
• Locations: stations must be located on AFIR-compliant TEN-T corridors or urban transport hubs

The scheme aligns with the European Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which mandates the rollout of alternative fuel infrastructure across Europe. With this funding program, Germany aims to stimulate the development of a hydrogen refueling network for heavy-duty transport while simultaneously accelerating the market uptake of hydrogen trucks.

Existing or planned hydrogen refueling stations that are still under development may also qualify for funding, provided they meet the required standards for daily capacity and heavy-duty operation.

This new German initiative marks an important step toward zero-emission mobility in Europe and provides strong support for the transition from diesel to clean hydrogen solutions in heavy road transport.