The transition to zero-emission mobility has positioned renewable hydrogen as a promising alternative in segments that are difficult to electrify. In this context, the possibility of refuelling with hydrogen in Spain depends largely on the development of an adequate infrastructure.
At European level, the national transport sector is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for 23.8% of total emissions in 2022, according to the European Environment Agency. In Spain, it carries even more weight, being the leading emitter with 30.4% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for that same year.
The European regulation included in the Fit for 55 legislative package contains a series of measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, among others. Some of the measures include, for example, the trading of emission allowances for the transport sector from 2027, or penalties for manufacturers of heavy duty vehicles (trucks) based on the greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicles they sell from that year onwards. These measures are in addition to those that could be adopted at national level, such as increasing taxes on diesel fuel.
In addition, Fit for 55 aims to develop a hydrogen refuelling network along the core Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) and in national urban hubs through the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
According to GASNAM, there are currently 13 hydrogen refuelling stations in operation in the country, although only two are open to the public and one of these is by appointment, the rest being private facilities where refuelling is by arrangement only. These stations are located in several provinces, including Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia and Albacete.
The objective of the AFIR Regulation is to expand the network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Spain, with the aim of reaching a certain minimum threshold in terms of both size and capacity, so that it can meet the needs of a growing fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles. This objective of developing hydrogen refuelling stations in Spain will be specified in the future National Action Framework, to be established by December 31, 2025 at the latest, which will also include measures to promote the implementation of this infrastructure.
There are currently 13 hydrogen refuelling stations in the country
There are projects by various companies aimed at increasing the availability of refuelling stations across the country, giving users greater access to this technology and thus promoting a more sustainable and efficient future.
In fact, companies such as Scale Gas, a subsidiary of Enagás, have taken the initiative in this regard. Scale Gas has recently received funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to set up six public hydrogen refuelling stations in Spain, addressing the decarbonisation needs of mobility segments that are difficult to decarbonise. The company’s goal is to have 12 refuelling stations by 2030, in line with the aforementioned AFIR Regulations and the future National Action Framework.
The hydrogen refuelling network of this project, called ECOhynet, will supply hydrogen produced from renewable sources at a minimum pressure of 700 bar for light and heavy vehicles, with a supply capacity of 1,000 kg/day, as required by the AFIR Regulation.
The construction of these hydrogen refuelling stations in Spain will start in 2025 and is expected to be operational in 2027. This network will form part of the Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors of the core Trans-European Network for Transport.
The approach of this project, promoted by Scale Gas, is based on a comprehensive vision through platforms that bring together the entire value chain to provide hydrogen supply services to fleets.
Scale Gas, a subsidiary of Enagás, plans to set up six hydrogen refuelling stations across the country
Currently, the Government’s Hydrogen Roadmap aims to create a network of between 100 and 150 public refuelling stations by 2030.
This target will be updated with the new National Action Framework and must include the minimum number of stations necessary to comply with the AFIR Regulation and ensure hydrogen supply throughout the TEN-T network and in urban hubs. Specifically, by December 31, 2030 at the latest, there must be one publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling station within a maximum distance of 200 km along the TEN-T core network and in each national urban hub.
In addition, the National Action Framework shall include the actions and measures necessary to ensure the achievement of these objectives.
Hydrogen allows ranges of more than 600 km with a charging time of only 3 to 5 minutes for passenger cars
One of the great attractions of hydrogen refuelling as an alternative means of mobility is that the process is virtually identical to petrol or diesel refuelling, facilitating its introduction without the need for drastic changes in driving habits.
How does hydrogen refuelling work? All the user has to do is connect the hose from the hydrogen dispenser to the vehicle’s fuelling nozzle, in a similar way to conventional compressed natural gas. If the hydrogen is properly managed by the refuelling station, the tank can be filled in less than 5 minutes.
Unlike recharging an electric vehicle, which can take from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the battery capacity and the type of charger, hydrogen allows for a range of more than 600 km with a recharging time of just 3 to 5 minutes in the case of a passenger car, offering a more agile experience.
Unlike conventional fuels, its use in fuel cell vehicles does not emit CO₂ or other air pollutants, only water vapour as waste.
Hydrogen is particularly advantageous for commercial fleets, heavy-duty transport of goods and passengers, which require large amounts of energy, a certain degree of autonomy and have operational limitations due to long refuelling stops. In these cases, speed of supply and autonomy are key factors for operational efficiency, and therefore hydrogen offers more suitable solutions.
Renewable hydrogen is therefore one of the solutions to be considered in the decarbonisation of the transport sector and should contribute to making the mobility of the professional transport segment more sustainable in the future.
