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The future of freight transport could be decided on the roads of China, where hydrogen technology for trucks is gaining momentum and the world is watching the steps of this quiet energy revolution.
While many are still debating what the fuel of the future will be, China is already taking the lead in a quiet race that could redefine the global auto industry.
Toyota, one of the largest vehicle manufacturers on the planet, has sounded a warning about China's advance in the automotive sector. hydrogen powered trucks, a technology considered promising for long-distance transport.
Second Mitsumasa Yamagata, president of the Japanese automaker's hydrogen division, the world runs the risk of repeating the same mistake made with battery-powered electric cars: allowing Chinese dominance over production chains and infrastructure.
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“China is currently the most advanced country in the world in hydrogen trucks”, Yamagata said during a conference.
He highlighted that The Chinese government has invested heavily in transforming key logistics routes into dedicated highways for hydrogen-powered vehicles, creating a robust and efficient supply network.
Fuel of the future at stake
Os hydrogen fuel cell vehicles They use a chemical reaction with oxygen to generate electricity, with only water vapor as a byproduct.
Therefore, they are considered a clean alternative to diesel trucks.
While batteries are efficient for passenger cars, their weight and recharging time are still obstacles for heavy vehicles.
Therefore, hydrogen is seen as a ideal solution for transporting cargo over long distances, offering faster refueling and greater autonomy.
Despite this, large-scale adoption faces logistical and economic challenges, such as the cost of fuel, the shortage of gas stations and the need to reduce the production value of vehicles.
China accelerates as the West hesitates
According to Interact Analysis, China sold 7.069 fuel cell buses and trucks in 2024 — more than all other regions combined.
This leadership is fueled by strategic subsidies, state support and a robust domestic market.
In April 2024, Chinese state media announced the opening of the country's first inter-regional hydrogen truck route, connecting Chongqing to the port of Qinzhou over a distance of 1.150 km.
In practice, the cost of hydrogen in China is 500 to 1.000 yen per kilogram (approximately $3,50 to $7), While In Japan the price can reach 2.000 yen (about US$14).
Part of this difference is due to the production of hydrogen as a byproduct of the Chinese steel industry, which significantly reduces costs.
The global race for energy autonomy
Yamagata was direct: “We don’t have much time left. It’s important to accelerate quickly.”
He argues that, to reduce the cost of hydrogen and expand its viability, governments, companies and research institutes must act in a coordinated manner — something that China already does efficiently.
In contrast, The United States faces uncertainty over the future of funding for hydrogen projects, especially if Donald Trump regains the presidency.
In Europe, the target of producing and importing 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030 is seen by experts as “unrealistic.” And Japan, despite being a pioneer in technology research, is moving slowly and hesitantly.
Toyota, Hyundai and others still believe
Even with the growth of battery-powered vehicles, Asian automakers such as Toyota, Hyundai and Honda are still betting on hydrogen as the true fuel of the future.
Toyota, for example, has been investing in technology for over 30 years, having sold 28 thousand units of the Mirai model since 2014.
The automaker recently unveiled its third-generation fuel cell, with durability equivalent to that of a diesel engine. The new unit can be coupled to trucks as a single system, reducing costs and facilitating adoption by commercial vehicle manufacturers.
BMW has also shown interest, and international partnerships are beginning to form, with a special focus on the Chinese market.
Toyota's plan to get back on top
Despite recognizing that hydrogen will not revolutionize the passenger car market in the short term, Toyota redirected its efforts to the truck and bus segment, where technology can stand out.
To this end, the automaker opened a factory in Beijing in partnership with the Chinese company SinoHytec., with the capacity to produce up to 10 fuel cell systems per year.
The idea is to use the demanding Chinese market as a testing ground, refining the products before launching them in Japan, Europe and the United States.
“By refining our products in China’s tough market environment, we will launch globally competitive solutions”, explained Yamagata.
Hydrogen: gamble or utopia?
The future of hydrogen in transport is still a matter of debate.
On the one hand, its use in commercial vehicles could be the key to decarbonized global logistics.
On the other hand, the rapid advancement of battery-powered electric cars and high infrastructure costs could overshadow their mass adoption.
Even within China, the rise of battery-powered electric buses and trucks indicates that nothing is guaranteed, and that the competition between the two technologies remains fierce.
Toyota’s warning is clear: without coordinated action and investment, the West could once again see Chinese leadership consolidate — this time on hydrogen.
Do you believe that hydrogen can still become the main fuel for freight transport or does the future already belong to battery-powered electric vehicles?
