From Lab Curiosity to Real-World Wheels
Hydrogen-powered public transport sounds like science fiction — a bus that only emits water, a train that runs on thin air. But it's already here and growing fast. The story starts way back in the 1800s when the first hydrogen fuel cells were demonstrated, but it took until the 1990s for the technology to become practical for vehicles. The real breakthrough came in the 2000s when cities around the world started running hydrogen fuel cell bus trials. The first hydrogen train — Germany's Coradia iLint — entered service in 2018 and proved that clean rail was possible without overhead wires. Today, over 5,600 hydrogen fuel cell buses run worldwide (mostly in China), hydrogen trains are becoming common in Europe, and entire cities are building hydrogen refuelling networks. Here's a look at the countries leading the hydrogen public transport revolution.
1. China 🇨🇳
Country: China
First Service: Early 2010s (pilot hydrogen buses in Beijing and Shanghai)
Operator: Multiple municipal transit operators
Fleet Size: Over 5,000 hydrogen fuel cell buses (largest in the world)
Brief History: China is the undisputed heavyweight champion of hydrogen buses. The government made hydrogen a national priority in its "Made in China 2025" strategy and the "Hydrogen Energy Development Plan" (2021–2035). Beijing hosted hydrogen bus demonstrations during the 2008 Olympics, but the real push came from 2020 onward as dozens of cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Zhangjiakou, Foshan — rolled out hydrogen bus fleets. The 2022 Winter Olympics in Zhangjiakou showcased over 800 hydrogen buses, the largest fleet ever assembled for a single event. China also leads in hydrogen refuelling stations, with over 350 operational stations as of 2025.
Key Features: Chinese hydrogen buses typically have a range of 400-600 km per fill, carrying 60-80 passengers. They operate on dedicated urban routes with purpose-built hydrogen refuelling depots. Major manufacturers include Yutong, Foton, Zhongtong, and King Long. The Zhangjiakou fleet alone has saved an estimated 10,000+ tonnes of CO₂ since 2022. China's hydrogen buses use both 35 MPa and 70 MPa tank technologies. The government targets 1 million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (including buses, trucks, and cars) on the road by 2030.
Current Stage: Massive, fast-paced expansion. New hydrogen bus fleets are being deployed in nearly every major Chinese city. Beijing plans 1,000+ hydrogen buses by 2026. The "Hydrogreen" Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei hydrogen corridor is building 500+ hydrogen stations to support bus and truck networks. Commercial operation is fully active and expanding every quarter.
2. Japan 🇯🇵
Country: Japan
First Service: 2002 (Tokyo hydrogen bus trial); 2017 (regular commercial service)
Operator: Toei Bus, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Fleet Size: ~200+ hydrogen buses (Tokyo target: 1,000+ by 2030)
Brief History: Japan has one of the world's most ambitious hydrogen strategies, driven by the "Basic Hydrogen Strategy" (first published 2017, updated 2023). The country sees hydrogen as central to its energy independence and decarbonisation goals. Toyota's fuel cell technology — from the Mirai car to the Sora bus — is the backbone of Japan's hydrogen mobility push. Tokyo's Toei Bus launched regular hydrogen bus services in 2017 using the Toyota Sora (Sky, Ocean, River, Air) fuel cell bus, which started commercial sales in 2018. Japan also operates hydrogen-powered fork lifts, trucks, and is developing hydrogen trains for non-electrified rural lines.
Key Features: The Toyota Sora bus has a range of ~200 km with a seating capacity of 79 passengers (22 seated, 56 standing + driver). It uses Toyota's fuel cell system from the Mirai, generating 114 kW (155 hp) of power. The bus features external power supply capability — it can output 235 kWh of electricity, enough to power an average home for 5 days during disasters. Japan has 170+ hydrogen stations nationwide (2025), concentrated in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Tokyo aims to operate 1,000 hydrogen buses by 2030 and build 50+ stations in the city alone.
Current Stage: Fully operational in Tokyo and expanding. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is actively subsidising hydrogen bus adoption. Japan's "Green Transformation (GX)" policy allocates ¥15 trillion (~$100 billion) over 10 years for hydrogen and other clean energy. Hydrogen train trials for rural lines are in development, and hydrogen is being integrated into combined heat and power systems for public buildings.
3. Germany 🇩🇪
Country: Germany
First Service: 2018 (Coradia iLint hydrogen train); 2006 (hydrogen bus trials)
Operator: Deutsche Bahn, EVB (Elbe-Weser Railways and Transport), various municipal bus operators
Network: First hydrogen train line (Bremervörde–Cuxhaven); 100+ hydrogen buses operating
Brief History: Germany is the birthplace of the world's first hydrogen-powered passenger train, the Alstom Coradia iLint. The line in Lower Saxony between Bremervörde and Cuxhaven (100 km) replaced diesel trains with 14 hydrogen iLint trains in 2018, proving that hydrogen rail can replace diesel on non-electrified routes. Germany has also been running hydrogen bus trials since the early 2000s — cities like Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Berlin have all operated hydrogen bus fleets. The National Hydrogen Strategy (2020, updated 2023) committed €9 billion to build a domestic hydrogen economy. Frankfurt and Hamburg now have regular hydrogen bus services alongside electric buses.
Key Features: The Coradia iLint has a range of 1,000 km (620 miles) on a single hydrogen tank — longer than most diesel trains. Top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). The train uses a fuel cell that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, with lithium-ion batteries storing surplus energy. One kg of hydrogen replaces about 4.5 litres of diesel. Each iLint train saves approximately 1,600 tonnes of CO₂ per year compared to diesel. For buses, Germany uses both Solo and articulated hydrogen fuel cell buses from Solaris, MAN, and CaetanoBus, with ranges of 350-500 km.
Current Stage: Fully operational with major expansion underway. Alstom has sold 36+ iLint trains across Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. The Frankfurt region ordered 52 hydrogen trains for the Taunus network (2024–2026). DB is testing the Siemens Mireo Plus H (next-gen hydrogen train with 1,200 km range) for Baden-Württemberg. Over 100 hydrogen buses are now in daily commercial service nationwide, with orders for 500+ more by 2028.
4. South Korea 🇰🇷
Country: South Korea
First Service: 2019 (hydrogen bus pilot in Ulsan); 2022 (Seoul mass rollout)
Operator: Seoul Metropolitan Government, various city operators
Fleet Size: ~500+ hydrogen buses (target: 3,000+ by 2030)
Brief History: South Korea has one of the world's most aggressive hydrogen mobility plans under its "Hydrogen Economy Roadmap" (2019) and "Clean Hydrogen Energy Portfolio" (2022). President Moon Jae-in declared "hydrogen economy" a national strategic priority. Hyundai Motor Company is at the centre of this push — its XCIENT Fuel Cell truck (world's first mass-produced hydrogen truck) and Elec City Fuel Cell bus are the primary vehicles. Ulsan (Hyundai's home city) was the first to roll out hydrogen buses, followed by Seoul in 2022. The government built 50+ hydrogen refuelling stations in Seoul alone by 2025.
Key Features: Hyundai's Elec City Fuel Cell bus has a range of ~430 km and seating for 74 passengers. The fuel cell system produces 180 kW of power. South Korea uses 35 MPa refuelling for buses (same pressure as China). Seoul's hydrogen buses operate on core city routes alongside electric buses. The government subsidises up to 80% of the purchase cost of hydrogen buses. South Korea's hydrogen stations are among the most technologically advanced globally, with some capable of refuelling a bus in under 15 minutes. Hyundai's NEXO and XCIENT fuel cell technology powers both passenger and commercial vehicles.
Current Stage: Rapid commercial expansion. Seoul aims to replace all 7,000+ CNG buses with hydrogen/electric by 2030. The government is building a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network of 660+ stations by 2030. South Korea is also developing hydrogen trains and trams, with a hydrogen tram line planned for Daejeon and hydrogen trains for non-electrified regional lines. The "Hydrogen City" pilot projects include Ulsan, Jeju, and Ansan.
5. India 🇮🇳
Country: India
First Service: 2022 (hydrogen bus trials in Delhi and Gujarat); 2025 (mass rollout planned)
Operator: Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), state road transport corporations
Fleet Size: 37 trial buses (2024); 1,000+ planned by 2028
Brief History: India's hydrogen story began with the National Green Hydrogen Mission (launched January 2023, budget of ₹19,744 crore / ~$2.5 billion). The mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and use. In 2022, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) launched pilot hydrogen buses in Delhi and Gujarat. Tata Motors and Reliance Industries are developing indigenous hydrogen fuel cell buses. The government waived interstate toll taxes for hydrogen vehicles and is building hydrogen refuelling corridors on major highways. India's abundant solar and wind energy makes green hydrogen production particularly viable — the country aims to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
Key Features: India's hydrogen buses target a range of 400+ km. The Delhi pilot buses use 350-bar hydrogen tanks and fuel cells from Ballard Power Systems. India is uniquely positioned for hydrogen because its high solar capacity allows low-cost green hydrogen production (target: $1/kg by 2030). The Delhi–Chandigarh and Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway corridors are being developed as hydrogen refuelling routes. Indian Railways is also testing hydrogen trains for heritage routes (Kalka–Shimla and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) and has plans for 50 hydrogen trains for non-electrified routes.
Current Stage: Early commercial stage — trials in progress. Delhi launched 15 hydrogen buses on key routes in early 2024. The government has tendered for 1,000+ hydrogen buses across multiple states. Indian Railways plans to introduce the first hydrogen train on 35 non-electrified routes by 2026–27. The green hydrogen production capacity is expanding rapidly with 3.4 GW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity planned by 2026.
6. United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Country: United Kingdom
First Service: 2010 (hydrogen bus trial in London); 2021 (JIVE-funded buses in Aberdeen)
Operator: Transport for London (TfL), Aberdeen City Council, Birmingham
Fleet Size: ~100 hydrogen buses across London, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Liverpool
Brief History: The UK was an early adopter of hydrogen buses — London ran a trial of 10 hydrogen buses on Route RV1 between 2010–2013 (the "H2 Bus" project). But the real push came through the European JIVE (Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles across Europe) programme, which funded 600 hydrogen buses across Europe. Aberdeen became a hydrogen hotspot — the "Energy City" launched hydrogen buses in 2021 on its Park & Ride routes and built a green hydrogen production plant (the "Hydrogen Hub") that produces hydrogen from wind and tidal energy. The UK government's Hydrogen Strategy (2021, updated 2024) and £2 billion investment in hydrogen include specific transport targets.
Key Features: UK hydrogen buses use the Wrightbus StreetDeck Hydroliner (double-decker, the world's first hydrogen double-decker) and single-deck CaetanoBus H2.City Gold. The StreetDeck Hydroliner has a range of 300+ miles (~480 km) with fuel cell output of 85 kW. The buses refuel at dedicated hydrogen stations, including Aberdeen's station with 1,000 kg/day capacity. London's hydrogen buses operate from the Willesden depot, with hydrogen supplied from a Thames-side production facility. Birmingham and Liverpool have joined with orders for Hydroliner buses.
Current Stage: Growing commercial deployment. Wrightbus (Northern Ireland) has orders for 500+ hydrogen buses across the UK. London plans to grow its hydrogen bus fleet. The Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub (northeast England) is building hydrogen production for freight and bus applications. The UK also has hydrogen train trials underway with a Class 319 converted to hydrogen (HydroFLEX) by the University of Birmingham and Porterbrook.
7. France 🇫🇷
Country: France
First Service: 2020 (hydrogen bus in Auxerre); 2021 (hydrogen train trials)
Operator: SNCF, Alstom, various municipal transit authorities
Fleet Size: ~150 hydrogen buses (target: 5,000+ by 2030)
Brief History: France's hydrogen ambitions are driven by President Macron's France 2030 plan (€30 billion investment, with €7 billion earmarked for hydrogen). Alstom — the company that built the Coradia iLint — is headquartered in France, making the country a natural leader in hydrogen trains. France deployed its first regular hydrogen buses in Auxerre (2020) and Pau (2021), and the Alstom iLint entered service on French regional lines from 2023. The government requires that all new urban buses be zero-emission from 2025 — accelerating the shift. France boasts the "Hydrogen Territories" programme, where entire regions commit to hydrogen mobility networks.
Key Features: French hydrogen buses include the Safra Businova H2 and the CaetanoBus H2.City Gold. The Businova H2 has a range of 300 km and 60-passenger capacity. Pau's hydrogen bus line (Fébus) is notable — it's an entirely hydrogen-powered BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line with dedicated lanes, 8 buses, and its own hydrogen production station that produces 175 kg of hydrogen daily from solar power. SNCF has ordered 12 Coradia iLint trains for the Normandy region and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has ordered 4. The Occitanie region plans the region's first hydrogen train network by 2028.
Current Stage: Accelerating deployment. The 2025 zero-emission bus mandate is pushing cities nationwide to order hydrogen buses. The "Hydrogen Territories" initiative covers 30+ regions. Alstom is developing the next-gen hydrogen train (Coradia Stream H) for the Italian and French markets. France has 50+ hydrogen refuelling stations, targeting 400+ by 2028. The Paris 2024 Olympics featured hydrogen buses in the Olympic fleet.
8. USA (California) 🇺🇸
Country: United States — California leads, with pilots in Ohio, Massachusetts, and New York
First Service: 1990s (early AC Transit trial); 2020 (mass hydrogen bus deployment)
Operator: AC Transit (Oakland), SunLine Transit (Palm Springs), Santa Clara VTA, Orange County
Fleet Size: ~300+ hydrogen buses in California (target: 1,000+ by 2030)
Brief History: California is America's hydrogen transport leader, largely driven by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and its zero-emission bus mandates. AC Transit (Oakland/East Bay) launched one of the world's longest-running hydrogen bus demonstration projects back in the 1990s/2000s. SunLine Transit in Palm Springs has operated hydrogen buses since the early 2000s (including a pioneering hydrogen hybrid bus). The California Hydrogen Business Council and infrastructure law funding (IIJA) have poured billions into hydrogen transport. CARB's "Innovative Clean Transit" rule requires all new public buses to be zero-emission by 2029 and all buses to be ZEV by 2040.
Key Features: California hydrogen buses include the New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE H2 and the Gillig Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus. Range of 300-400 miles (480-640 km). California has 70+ hydrogen refuelling stations, mostly in the LA basin and Bay Area, with 200+ planned by 2030. AC Transit operates the nation's largest hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet (with 60+ buses). The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach run hydrogen fuel cell trucks and yard tractors as part of the "Zero-Emission Port" initiative. The "Hydrogen City" project in Lancaster (California) is pioneering hydrogen-powered municipal transport.
Current Stage: Fast-growing. With federal funding ($8 billion for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), the "Western States Hydrogen Hub" and "ARCHES" (Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems) in California are building production, storage, and refuelling infrastructure. California's hydrogen bus fleet is expected to triple by 2028. Ohio's Stark Area Regional Transit Authority runs a hydrogen bus service. MBTA (Boston) tested hydrogen buses in 2016.
9. Nordic Countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) 🇳🇴🇸🇪🇩🇰
Country: Norway, Sweden, Denmark
First Service: 2009 (hydrogen bus pilots in Oslo and Stockholm); 2020 (regular commercial operations)
Operator: Ruter (Oslo), Västtrafik (Gothenburg), Movia (Copenhagen)
Fleet Size: ~200+ hydrogen buses across the Nordic region
Brief History: The Nordic countries are uniquely suited for hydrogen — they have abundant renewable electricity (hydropower in Norway, wind in Denmark/Sweden) and a strong political commitment to decarbonisation. Norway's Hydrogen Road of Norway (HyNor) project, launched in 2005, was one of the first hydrogen highway initiatives in the world. Oslo's hydrogen bus fleet grew steadily through EU-funded projects (CHIC, JIVE, 3Emotion). Denmark's hydrogen push was driven by the Copenhagen Climate Plan (2025 carbon-neutral target). Sweden's Hybrit project focuses on green steel, which also produces hydrogen as a by-product usable for transport. Gothenburg and Stockholm now have regular hydrogen bus services on core urban routes.
Key Features: Nordic hydrogen buses use Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen and CaetanoBus fuel cell buses. Range of 350-450 km. Norway's hydrogen stations are powered by electrolysis using excess hydropower, making them among the greenest hydrogen sources globally. Sweden's "Hydrogen Sweden" network connects 30+ hydrogen stations. Copenhagen's hydrogen buses refuel at Amager Bakke (the waste-to-energy plant that also produces hydrogen). Norway has 30+ hydrogen stations operational, with plans for 100+ along the main highway corridors (Oslo–Bergen, Oslo–Trondheim). Denmark signed a €9 billion hydrogen pipeline agreement with Germany (2024) for exporting green hydrogen by 2030.
Current Stage: Commercially active and growing. Norway's Ruter aims for 100% zero-emission public transport by 2028 — hydrogen buses are a key part of this mix alongside electric buses. Sweden's Vinnova (innovation agency) funds hydrogen bus fleets in multiple cities. Denmark's hydrogen bus fleet in Copenhagen is being expanded as part of the Capital Region's climate plan. All three countries are also developing hydrogen-powered ferries — Norway has the world's first hydrogen ferry ("MF Hydra", launched 2023) and Denmark plans hydrogen-powered high-speed ferries.
10. Canada 🇨🇦
Country: Canada
First Service: 2010 (hydrogen bus in Vancouver for Olympic Games); 2023 (full commercial rollout in Quebec)
Operator: TransLink (Vancouver), STM (Montreal), OC Transpo (Ottawa)
Fleet Size: ~100+ hydrogen buses (target: 1,000+ by 2035)
Brief History: Canada has strong hydrogen roots — Ballard Power Systems (Vancouver) is one of the world's oldest and most respected fuel cell manufacturers, supplying fuel cells to many of the hydrogen buses listed here. Vancouver launched a hydrogen bus pilot in 2010 coinciding with the Winter Olympics. But the big step came in the 2020s when Quebec's government committed to hydrogen transport in a big way, using its abundant hydroelectric power for electrolysis. Quebec's "Plan for a Green Economy" (2030) and the "Hydrogen Strategy for Canada" (2020, $1.5 billion investment) accelerated nationwide deployment. Montreal's STM ordered 30 hydrogen buses in 2023.
Key Features: Canadian hydrogen buses use fuel cells from Ballard Power Systems (made in Canada) integrated into New Flyer Xcelsior and Nova Bus LFSe+ chassis. Range of 350-450 km. Quebec's green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using 100% hydroelectricity, making it one of the world's lowest-carbon hydrogen sources. Montreal's hydrogen is produced by TES Canada in a facility designed to produce 70,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2028. Vancouver's TransLink has committed to transitioning its entire bus fleet (1,500+ buses) to zero-emission by 2040, with hydrogen playing a role for the longer-range routes. Edmonton and Calgary have hydrogen bus trials underway.
Current Stage: Accelerating. Quebec is building a hydrogen production and distribution network across the province — the "Quebec Hydrogen Corridor" will connect Montreal, Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, and Sherbrooke with hydrogen refuelling stations. Ottawa's OC Transpo plans to deploy hydrogen buses alongside its electric bus fleet. Canada's hydrogen train development includes CPKC's hydrogen locomotive (the first hydrogen-powered freight locomotive in North America, tested 2023). Ballard's fuel cells power hydrogen buses in over 20 countries globally.
🌟 Honorable Mentions
Switzerland — Stadler-built hydrogen trains (Flirt H2) on the Rheintal line between St. Margrethen and Altstätten since 2024. Regional railway services where electrification is too expensive have found hydrogen a perfect fit.
Australia — The city of Brisbane trialled hydrogen buses in 2022, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding hydrogen transport feasibility studies. The Kwinana Hydrogen Hub (Western Australia) will supply hydrogen for local buses.
Netherlands — Amsterdam's Connexxion has operated hydrogen buses since 2019 on Zuidtangent BRT lines. The Netherlands has 30+ hydrogen stations nationwide and is building a hydrogen backbone for heavy transport.
Spain — Barcelona and Madrid have hydrogen bus pilot programs. Spain's enormous solar capacity makes it a natural green hydrogen producer — the "Iberian Hydrogen Roadmap" targets 4 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030.
Austria — Wiener Linien (Vienna) operates hydrogen buses on inner-city routes since 2022. The Austrian government's hydrogen strategy funds hydrogen buses for regional transport. A Coradia iLint hydrogen train line is planned for the Voralberg region.
Italy — Alstom's Coradia Stream H hydrogen train was ordered by FNM (Lombardy region) for the Non-Electrified Lines project, with 6 trains expected by 2026. Milan's ATM has trialled hydrogen buses.
Quick Comparison 🏆
🔹 Largest Fleet: China — over 5,000 hydrogen buses (80%+ of global fleet)
🔹 Most Aggressive Target: South Korea — 3,000+ buses by 2030, 7,000 CNG replacements
🔹 First Hydrogen Train: Germany — Coradia iLint, Bremervörde–Cuxhaven (2018)
🔹 Longest Hydrogen Range: Coradia iLint train — 1,000 km per fill
🔹 Greenest Hydrogen: Norway/Canada/Quebec — 100% renewable hydroelectric electrolysis
🔹 Most Stations: China (350+) → Japan (170+) → Korea (100+) → Germany (100+) → California (70+)
🔹 Most Innovative: Japan's Toyota Sora bus — doubles as 235 kWh emergency power supply
🔹 Best Hydrogen Train: Siemens Mireo Plus H — 1,200 km range, tested in Germany from 2024
🔹 Fastest Growth: India — from 37 trial buses to 1,000+ planned in under 5 years
🔹 Most Comprehensive Strategy: Japan's Basic Hydrogen Strategy + ¥15 trillion investment
The Bottom Line 🔮
Hydrogen-powered public transport is no longer a prototype curiosity — it's a real, growing industry with over 5,600 hydrogen buses and 40+ hydrogen trains serving passengers worldwide. China dominates pure numbers, but Japan leads in technology. Germany proved hydrogen trains work in the real world. South Korea and India are sprinting hard. And California, Quebec, and the Nordics are proving hydrogen can be truly green when powered by renewable energy.
What's driving this? Three things: battery limitations for long-range/heavy-duty routes, abundant renewable power for green hydrogen production, and government policies targeting 100% zero-emission public transport. Hydrogen's sweet spot is where batteries struggle — long-distance buses, non-electrified train lines, cold-weather operation, and heavy-duty freight. The hydrogen revolution in public transport has well and truly left the station.
Images: Wikimedia Commons (CC). Hydrogen fuel cell bus in Daiba, Tokyo; Coradia iLint hydrogen train in Bremervörde, Germany.