With China’s EV sector at top speed, Beijing eyes ‘economical’ hydrogen-power vehicles amid green energy transition
- China is the world’s top producer and consumer of electric vehicles, and it is now seeking the lead in hydrogen-powered vehicles
- It unveiled its first national-level hydrogen energy development plan in 2022, and has tested its first hydrogen-powered passenger train
Following the meteoric rise of China’s electric vehicle sector, Beijing is betting on hydrogen-powered vehicles as it eyes the possibility of becoming a global leader for the new clean energy source.
Policymakers from central and local authorities have released a variety of incentives and attempted to create new business applications by leveraging China’s massive domestic market.
The southwest province of Sichuan said this week that it was considering scrapping highway tolls for hydrogen-powered vehicles, while also considering lifting restrictions on intracity access for hydrogen-powered trucks.
It also plans to build hydrogen refuelling stations, while also providing subsidies based on the standard of the charging stations.
[Sichuan’s move] will make the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles an economical choice
A month earlier, the eastern Shandong province waived tolls for hydrogen-powered vehicles on its highways for the next two years.
