Hydrogen is fast becoming a pillar of Europe’s clean energy transition. As nations work to decarbonise transport and industry, hydrogen offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels — particularly in sectors where electrification is difficult, such as heavy freight, maritime shipping, rail and aviation. However, hydrogen’s full potential depends on tackling significant challenges, including high production costs, limited refuelling infrastructure and fragmented policy frameworks.
Across Europe — especially in Finland, Germany, Sweden, Poland and Lithuania — governments and industries are advancing hydrogen projects that blend innovation with practical investment, setting the stage for a low-carbon transport revolution.
The Promise of Hydrogen in Transport and Logistics
Hydrogen’s greatest advantage lies in its ability to store renewable energy and power long-range, heavy-duty vehicles with fast refuelling times. When produced via electrolysis using renewable electricity, hydrogen becomes a genuinely zero-emission fuel. It can be used in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), hydrogen trains, ships and even aircraft prototypes.
Yet, cost remains a primary barrier. Green hydrogen production is still more expensive than fossil-based alternatives, and the infrastructure required — pipelines, refuelling stations and storage — is limited. The development of cross-border hydrogen corridors and unified EU standards is essential to making hydrogen logistics economically viable.
Finland: Hydrogen Pilots and Regional Integration
Finland has adopted a pragmatic approach to hydrogen mobility, focusing on pilot projects and regional cooperation. Hydrogen-fuel-cell buses and logistics trials are underway in major cities, while refuelling hubs are planned along transport corridors and at key ports.
The Finnish strategy aims to integrate hydrogen with renewable power and heavy-duty fleets. With abundant wind energy resources, Finland’s challenge is not supply, but building sufficient demand and refuelling capacity. By connecting municipal transport and industrial use cases, Finland is creating early hydrogen ecosystems that can expand nationally over time.
Germany: Building Europe’s Hydrogen Backbone
Germany is at the forefront of hydrogen infrastructure development. Its National Hydrogen Strategy includes billions of euros in funding for a nationwide hydrogen backbone network, converting existing gas pipelines and establishing refuelling hubs for trucks, buses and trains.
German companies are refocusing on high-demand commercial transport rather than passenger vehicles, recognising the importance of utilisation rates for economic viability. With strong industrial capacity and political support, Germany is poised to lead Europe’s transition to large-scale hydrogen transport.
Sweden: Linking Industry and Clean Transport
Sweden’s hydrogen policy combines industrial decarbonisation with transport innovation. National targets include replacing fossil fuels in steelmaking, shipping and long-distance road freight with hydrogen-based solutions.
The country’s strong renewable energy base and commitment to fossil-free mobility create fertile ground for hydrogen growth. The main hurdles are cost and the need for integrated infrastructure connecting production sites, industrial hubs and refuelling stations. Sweden’s focus on cross-sector collaboration positions it as a leader in sustainable hydrogen logistics.
Poland: Emerging Hydrogen Corridors in Central Europe
Poland is emerging as a Central European hub for hydrogen logistics. Major national energy companies are investing in hydrogen production, refuelling infrastructure and vehicle deployment. Plans include hundreds of refuelling stations by 2030, serving public transport and freight corridors across the country.
Poland’s industrial and geographic position — bridging Western and Eastern Europe — makes it well suited for regional hydrogen trade. Its challenges include ensuring low-carbon hydrogen supply and coordinating infrastructure growth with vehicle adoption.
Lithuania: A Baltic Rising Star in Hydrogen Transport and Logistics
Lithuania is rapidly developing its hydrogen sector through a national roadmap that targets more than 1 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030. The government aims to establish green hydrogen production for both industrial and transport uses, with the Port of Klaipėda leading the way.
Plans include producing hydrogen for ships, heavy vehicles, trains and port machinery, alongside the creation of public refuelling stations in Vilnius and other cities. Lithuania’s state gas operator is also preparing to build a hydrogen transmission network integrated with the European hydrogen grid.
With its strategic Baltic location and growing logistics sector, Lithuania has the potential to become a key transit and export hub for hydrogen in Northern Europe. The challenge lies in scaling production efficiently while ensuring consistent demand from transport fleets.
Shared European Opportunities and Challenges
Across all five countries, hydrogen transportation presents a powerful opportunity to decarbonise hard-to-electrify sectors, create green jobs, and enhance energy independence. Collaboration through EU-wide hydrogen corridors and funding mechanisms such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) will be crucial.
The main challenges remain cost competitiveness, infrastructure readiness and market coordination. Achieving economies of scale will depend on harmonised standards, stable policy support and the development of strong public-private partnerships.
