Construction permit granted for hydrogen refueling station construction for heavy vehicles in Lübeck, at the hands of MB Energy.
MB Energy to Build Hydrogen Refueling Station in Lübeck
MB Energy is set to begin construction on a new hydrogen refueling station in Lübeck, Germany, marking a significant step forward in the company's commitment to developing a reliable and scalable refueling network for carbonless energy products for trucks.
The station, strategically located near the A1 and A20 motorway junction, will have a daily capacity of up to 2,000 kilograms of hydrogen and will be capable of refueling up to 50 heavy-duty trucks per day. This initiative aligns with the European Union's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which mandates hydrogen refueling stations every 200 km along the TEN-T corridors and at urban hubs by 2030.
The design and development of the station are done in partnership with Hypion GmbH, with the project receiving significant funding from the German Federal Ministry for Transport under the KsNI programme. The project received a reported grant of €5.1 million, underscoring governmental support for climate-friendly commercial vehicle infrastructure.
The station will be integrated into MB Energy’s existing commercial road transport infrastructure, which includes over 300 conventional fuel stations, and operated within the tankpool24 network to facilitate fleet operator transition to zero-emission technology. This move will help improve accessibility for trucks and promote cleaner transport options, particularly for freight routes connecting Germany and Scandinavia.
Philipp Kroepels, Director New Energy at MB Energy, stated that the project marks a major step forward for the company. "We are excited to be leading the way in hydrogen infrastructure for heavy-duty transport," he said. "Hydrogen is a practical and promising energy carrier for long-haul transport, and we are committed to making it a viable option for our customers."
Florian Lückmann, Director Commercial Road Transport at MB Energy, echoed Kroepels' sentiments. "The Lübeck hydrogen refueling station is a significant milestone in our multi-fuel strategy," he said. "We are investing in hydrogen, biofuels, and e-fuels to offer our customers a range of sustainable energy options."
The Lübeck hydrogen refueling station is the second H2-Hub for heavy-duty trucks developed by the MB Energy group. The company has already established hydrogen refueling stations in Sweden and secured grants for additional sites through its Swedish operations. The station is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
[1] MB Energy press release, "MB Energy to Build Hydrogen Refueling Station in Lübeck" (2023) [2] Hypion press release, "MB Energy and Hypion Announce Partnership for Lübeck Hydrogen Station" (2023) [3] German Federal Ministry for Transport press release, "MB Energy to Build Hydrogen Refueling Station in Lübeck with €5.1 Million Grant" (2023) [4] European Commission press release, "AFIR: Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation Moves Forward" (2023) [5] tankpool24 press release, "MB Energy to Operate Lübeck Hydrogen Station within tankpool24 Network" (2023)
- The hydrogen economy is gaining traction, as evidenced by MB Energy's plan to establish a hydrogen refueling station in Lübeck as part of their commitment to a reliable and scalable network for carbonless energy products for trucks.
- The European Union's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is pushing for hydrogen infrastructure development along TEN-T corridors and urban hubs by 2030, which this station aligns with.
- This hydrogen infrastructure project, partnered with Hypion GmbH, received substantial funding from the German Federal Ministry for Transport, indicating a governmental push towards climate-friendly commercial vehicle infrastructure.
- The hydrogen refueling station, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2025, will be integrated into MB Energy’s existing commercial road transport infrastructure, facilitating fleet operator transition to zero-emission technology.
- The hydrogen station will contribute to cleaner transport options, particularly for freight routes connecting Germany and Scandinavia, and is part of MB Energy's larger strategy in investing in hydrogen, biofuels, and e-fuels for sustainable energy options in the automotive and home-and-garden sectors.
- The successful implementation of this hydrogen station has the potential to stimulate growth in the environmental-science field and attract investments in sustainable-living technologies and practices.
- Financial institutions are expected to closely follow these developments in the hydrogen infrastructure industry, given its potential for significant impact on energy transition and the transportation lifestyle.
