Europe’s €600 Million Boost for Hydrogen, A Major Step Toward a Truly Zero Emission Transport Network
EU funds 38 new hydrogen refuelling stations in €600 million push for clean mobility
The European Union has taken another major leap toward a cleaner transport future, approving more than €600 million in new funding to accelerate alternative fuel infrastructure across Europe. For fleets, operators, energy providers and policymakers, this announcement is more than just another grant round. It is clear evidence that the shift to zero emission transport is accelerating at scale.
At ZeroMission, we welcome this development. It reinforces everything we see across our customer base every day: Europe’s transition to clean, multi fuel transport is no longer theoretical. It is happening right now.
38 New Hydrogen Refuelling Stations Across Europe
Under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), 38 new hydrogen refuelling stations will now move ahead across the EU’s key road corridors. These stations will support cars, buses and heavy duty trucks, strengthening Europe’s ability to decarbonise long distance and commercial transport.
With this round, the EU brings its total AFIF supported hydrogen stations to 106 since 2021. This is a rapid scale up that mirrors the growth we have seen in battery electric charging infrastructure across the same period.
Hydrogen plays a vital role under the AFIR regulation, which mandates minimum coverage for alternative fuels across the Trans European Transport Network (TEN T) by 2030. By backing hydrogen alongside electricity, the European Commission is making its long term strategy abundantly clear:
Europe’s future will be powered by multiple zero emission energy vectors: electric, hydrogen, and hydrogen derived fuels.
A Critical Step for Heavy Duty Fleets
While EV charging continues to dominate passenger mobility, hydrogen is increasingly recognised as essential for HGVs, long haul fleets, municipal vehicles and bus operators whose duty cycles demand rapid refuelling and high uptime.
This announcement strengthens the business case for fleet operators evaluating hydrogen trucks over the next decade, reinforcing:
More predictable network coverage
Better operational confidence
Faster route planning decisions
Increased OEM investment in hydrogen drivelines
For operators using ZeroMission’s éXō platform, the rise of hydrogen does not complicate fleet management. It enhances it. We built éXō precisely for mixed fuel fleets, enabling operators to manage EV, ICE, hydrogen, and future fuels from a single operational control tower.
Hydrogen and Ammonia at the Ports: A New Era for Maritime Decarbonisation
One of the most exciting elements of this funding round is the push into port side hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure, including the EU’s first ammonia bunkering project under AFIF.
This signals three major shifts:
Hydrogen derived fuels are scaling beyond pilot projects.
Ports are becoming strategic hubs for the hydrogen economy, serving transport, shipping, industry and export markets.
Maritime decarbonisation is moving faster than expected, driven by ammonia’s potential as a clean, high energy fuel for large vessels.
For logistics, this translates into cleaner supply chains end to end: road, depot, rail and now maritime.
€1.3 Billion in EU Support Since 2021 and Counting
With 208 projects supported and over €3.5 billion unlocked in total investment so far, AFIF is proving to be a cornerstone of Europe’s Green Deal and Fit for 55 ambitions.
This round of funding is not just about infrastructure. It is about momentum. Every new charging hub, hydrogen station or port side energy facility reduces uncertainty, boosts adoption, and accelerates cost reductions for fleets across Europe.
What Happens Next
The next AFIF call for proposals is now open, with a deadline of 24 January 2026. This is a major opportunity for:
Hydrogen station developers
Fleet operators planning multi fuel transitions
Logistics firms electrifying depots
Ports expanding their decarbonisation strategies
Energy providers building integrated charging or refuelling networks
ZeroMission continues to work with partners across Europe to help quantify emissions savings, operational performance, TCO, energy demand and route optimisation across electric, hydrogen and mixed fuel fleets.
ZeroMission’s View
This announcement confirms what we already know.
Europe’s zero emission transition is accelerating on all fronts: road, depot, rail, ports and shipping.
Hydrogen is not competing with electricity. It is complementing it.
And fleets need a single platform capable of handling it all.
That is where ZeroMission comes in.
éXō One Layer. Infinite Insight.
Your control tower for the next era of fleet operations.
If you would like to understand how hydrogen fits into your long term fleet roadmap, or how to prepare for multi fuel operations, the ZeroMission team is here to help.