Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station Accelerates Zero-Emission Bus Rollout in Northern Germany
Lhyfe has helped enable the immediate deployment of a hydrogen-powered bus fleet in northern Germany by supplying renewable hydrogen to a mobile refuelling station operating in Lower Saxony, demonstrating a practical solution for accelerating hydrogen mobility projects before permanent infrastructure is completed.
The temporary hydrogen refuelling station has been in operation since December 2025, supporting six fuel cell buses operated by Weser-Ems-Bus in the town of Jever. The station, owned by Technologie-Transfer-Zentrum Bremerhaven and operated by MoviaTec GmbH, allows public transport services to run while a permanent hydrogen refuelling station is being completed later in 2026.
The project addresses one of the key challenges facing hydrogen mobility: aligning the delivery of vehicles, refuelling infrastructure and fuel supply. By deploying a mobile station, the partners avoided delays that might otherwise have postponed the introduction of zero-emission bus services.
Lhyfe is supplying Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO)-certified green hydrogen produced at its European production facilities. The company currently operates four RFNBO-certified hydrogen production sites and one of Europe’s largest hydrogen transport fleets, with more than 80 Type IV hydrogen containers supporting deliveries across multiple markets.
Operating at 350 bar, the pressure commonly used for hydrogen buses and commercial vehicles, the mobile station has performed better than initially expected. Real-world operations have shown buses can be refuelled more quickly than projected during planning, allowing the station to meet and, in some cases, exceed operational expectations.
The initiative also provides valuable operational data through scientific monitoring by ttz Bremerhaven, helping researchers evaluate vehicle performance, hydrogen consumption and refuelling efficiency under everyday operating conditions. The findings are expected to support future hydrogen mobility deployments across Germany and Europe.
The partners say the project demonstrates that hydrogen vehicle fleets can be introduced without waiting for permanent refuelling infrastructure, offering a scalable model for municipalities seeking to decarbonise public transport. Operations will continue using the mobile station until the permanent hydrogen refuelling facility at Schortens, within the JadeWeserPark industrial area, becomes operational later this year.
