The Swedish hydrogen network Hydri and its owner companies have received 190 million kronor in state funding to build a network of hydrogen fuel stations across Sweden. The project aims to pave the way for climate friendly truck transport, but the customer base remains almost nonexistent.
Michel Thomas, board chairman of Hydri and CEO of owner company Qarlbo Energy, explained that infrastructure needs to come first, comparing the rollout to how few refrigerators were sold before the electricity grid was built.
Ten stations to start, more planned further north
The hydrogen station chain will begin with ten locations in southern Sweden, with plans to expand northward over time. The goal is to make it possible for haulage companies to run green transport operations using hydrogen powered trucks.
Despite the ambition, Sweden currently has only six hydrogen trucks registered, and just four of them are actually in use. Two belong to Scania as test vehicles, while the two operating commercially rely on a dedicated fueling station in Borlänge.
Thomas expressed confidence that hydrogen will play an important complementary role alongside electrification in the shift toward sustainable transport.
Attracting customers remains the biggest hurdle
The technology is being developed by major manufacturers including Volvo and Scania, but running trucks on hydrogen is still significantly more expensive than diesel. Tony Sandberg, responsible for Scania’s commercial testing operations, noted that the point of the trials is to determine whether hydrogen has a sustainable future both economically and technically.
Closing the price gap
Both Scania and Hydri agree that state support will be essential to make hydrogen fueling more affordable. Thomas emphasized that the initial price gap must be closed in order to build up meaningful volumes.
Of the total state funding, 120 million kronor comes from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s Klimatklivet program, with the remainder provided by the Swedish Energy Agency. The agency has since paused further grants for hydrogen stations until other parts of the hydrogen value chain catch up, though Thomas remains optimistic that this will happen.
Tens of thousands of trucks expected eventually
Looking ahead, Thomas estimated that once the market is fully established, Sweden could see between 10,000 and 20,000 hydrogen trucks on the road. For now, only a handful exist, and when SVT visited stations in Nykvarn and Nyköpingsbro, no one showed up to fuel during the visit.
Behind Hydri and Qarlbo Energy stand major investors, including EQT founder Conni Jonsson and the Wallenberg family’s investment company FAM AB. Thomas noted that the ownership group is financially strong and fully aware that this is a long term investment.
