Since 2014 with the participation in the hydrogen mobility Europe program (H2ME), the Netherlands has been a testing ground for hydrogen mobility. After a successful learning phase (2015-2020), the Dutch government picked up the pace since 2020 with the publication of its first hydrogen strategy. Since then, the Netherlands has considerably accelerated the development of all aspects of the hydrogen value chain and especially for mobility.

Starting with the policies, the Dutch government presents clear targets across all sectors in the 2022 Hydrogen roadmap for the Netherlands. This roadmap segments the deployment of the hydrogen value chain in the country.

This roadmap translates into numbered targets. For hydrogen production, a 600MW electrolysis capacity installed by 2025, a 4GW target by 2030 and up to 8GW by 2032.

For mobility, a target of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) is set. 50 HRS by 2025 and 100 HRS by 2030 to support a corresponding 300 000 hydrogen powered vehicle fleet by 2030.

Hydrogen takes on an even greater role in the decarbonization of the Dutch economy when put into the context of high electricity grid constraints. Where hydrogen offers an alternative for intensive use mobility applications taking load away from the electricity grid by providing a zero-emission mobility solution without the need for fast charging infrastructure.

The Dutch government has identified hydrogen mobility’s potential and strongly supports its deployment, both on the infrastructure side and the vehicle incentives. Aiming to bridge the cost gap between hydrogen and its competitors with a new tax on internal combustion engine commercial vehicle registration starting in 2025 and a dedicated hydrogen vehicle purchase incentive program aiming to come online by summer of 2024.

These measures come on top of a growing hydrogen ecosystem, 17 HRS strong with 7 more on the way. Overall, the Netherlands provides a favorable environment for the development of hydrogen mobility with substantial renewable energy resources, a repurposable gas network and a limited grid connection potential (source : TenneT TSO). This creates a promising environment for our Renault Master van H2-tech which has already put the wheels down on the Dutch asphalt in the hands of Dutch customers.

The Netherlands are one of the leading players in hydrogen mobility in Europe with strong ambitions and some already tangible achievements.