Despite Western skepticism, China's hydrogen sector shows accelerated progress across vehicles, components, and infrastructure, with growing commercial deployments.
While Europe continues to cast doubt and the U.S. hesitates to fully back hydrogen, China is rapidly advancing hydrogen fuel cell mobility—from logistics and mining to public services and private rental. At the 2025 International Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Vehicle Conference held in Shanghai from June 18–20, nearly 300 domestic and international companies showcased end-to-end solutions for the hydrogen transport value chain.
One of the centerpieces: a new-generation hydrogen fuel cell passenger car with a 700 km range and a refueling time of just 5 minutes—up from 550 km in the previous model. Also on display was the world’s first hydrogen-electric hybrid car, capable of running on either electricity or hydrogen, having already surpassed 10,000 km in demonstration runs.
GAC high-performance fuel cell stack
Technology Breakthroughs Across the Stack
Key components of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) also showed major leaps in Chinese innovation:
Fuel cell stack: Designed by a domestic manufacturer, self-starts at –30°C and offers >10,000 hours lifespan.
Catalyst materials: New mesoporous structure boosts stability, durability, and performance by 10–15%.
Bipolar plates: Using a titanium-carbon composite and new coating techniques, lifetime surpasses 30,000 hours with costs reduced by over 30%.
"We’ve achieved substantial breakthroughs across the chain—from hydrogen production and refueling to material science and system integration," said Zhao Lijin, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Society of Automotive Engineers.
World’s Largest Hydrogen-Powered Mining Truck Unveiled
In a headline-grabbing debut, the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mining truck—a 260-ton behemoth—was rolled out at the event.
Specs: Equipped with five 200-kW fuel cell systems storing up to 236 kg of hydrogen.
Use case: Carries 118 cubic meters of ore—equal to 30 passenger vehicles.
“Running all day, this truck cuts 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually and can save ¥30 million [$4.1M] over its lifecycle at ¥25/kg hydrogen,” said Ren Yahui, Chairman of Shanghai Hydrogen Energy Group.
Applications Expand: From Freight to Sanitation
China’s transport ecosystem is absorbing FCEVs at speed. As demonstration policies take hold, hydrogen vehicles are now common in:
Trunk logistics: 20 hydrogen-powered 49-ton trucks haul steel across a 700 km route between Tianjin and Wu'an, logging 1.2 million km and cutting 1,100 tons of CO₂.
Cold chain logistics in Guangdong: Fuel cell refrigerated trucks with 90-kW systems average 200 km per day.
Urban services: Hydrogen-powered vehicles are now operating in rental fleets, municipal sanitation, and engineering machinery.
GAC AION LX Fuel Cell hydrogen fuel cell passenger car
“This may be an inflection point,” said Ouyang Minggao, Chair of the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association. “We’re seeing hydrogen mobility drive the broader hydrogen economy.”
The Hongqi C100FCEV demonstration model rolls off the production line, featuring 550+ km hydrogen range, NVH/thermal management upgrades, and a pioneering hybrid fuel cell-range extender architecture.
Recently, Hongqi, the premium brand of FAW Group, announced the successful rollout of its first range-extended fuel cell passenger vehicle - the Hongqi C100FCEV demonstration model - from the R&D headquarters of China FAW. This milestone marks a major breakthrough in hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicle technology, featuring an innovative range-extended fuel cell system layout that outperforms peer products in NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) performance, thermal management efficiency, and trunk space.
Technical Breakthroughs & System Architecture
The C100FCEV integrates a range-extender configuration with a fuel cell system, addressing 续航 (range) anxiety through a hybrid energy solution. Key innovations include:
Integrated vehicle architecture: Overcoming challenges in integrating range-extender components with fuel cell systems
Hydrogen safety control: Advanced hydrogen leakage detection and emergency response systems
Thermal management optimization: Efficient cooling systems designed for extreme cold climates
These advancements enable the vehicle to achieve a hydrogen-powered range exceeding 550 kilometers, with fuel economy and acceleration metrics reaching leading domestic standards.
Strategic Alignment with New Energy Initiatives
Since declaring its "All in New Energy" strategy in 2023, Hongqi has accelerated multi-faceted deployments in electrification. Leveraging the frigid environment of Northeast China, the brand has pioneered hydrogen fuel cell vehicle demonstration operations in seasonal frozen zones, using real-world scenarios to mature the industrial chain.
The C100FCEV project, initiated in June 2024, showcases Hongqi's focus on cold-weather adaptability. Its fuel cell system is optimized for low-temperature start-ups, addressing a critical pain point for hydrogen vehicles in extreme climates.
Milestone for Demonstration Operations
The rollout of the platform vehicle signals the project's entry into the demonstration operation phase. Planned deployments will:
Validate system reliability in diverse climatic conditions
Gather real-world data for technology iteration
Drive commercialization through public-private partnership models
" This achievement solidifies Hongqi's position as a pioneer in China's hydrogen mobility sector," stated a FAW Group spokesperson. "By combining range-extender technology with fuel cells, we aim to bridge the gap between current EV limitations and future zero-emission mobility needs."
Industry Implications
As China pushes to become a global leader in hydrogen technology, Hongqi's breakthrough highlights the strategic importance of passenger vehicle fuel cell R&D. The C100FCEV not only enhances Hongqi's new energy portfolio but also provides technical references for the industry, particularly in integrating range-extender solutions with zero-carbon power systems.
With this launch, Hongqi joins an elite group of automakers worldwide advancing fuel cell passenger vehicles, positioning itself at the forefront of China's transition to a hydrogen economy.
