HRS lands major order to build Europe’s largest hydrogen bus refuelling station
HRS, the French hydrogen refuelling specialist, has just secured a large order for what it says will be Europe’s largest high-capacity hydrogen station dedicated to public transport.
Capable of compressing 4 tonnes of hydrogen per day (that’s 160 kg an hour), the station is set to go live in early 2026 at an “undisclosed location” in a major European city. Mysterious stuff.
HRS has also not disclosed the buyer yet but describes them as a “major player in the sector” that selected the company following a competitive tender process.
Biggest hydrogen bus station yet
The scale of this installation puts it in a different league from your typical hydrogen stations. The system will feature six “distribution terminals” (pumps to us in the normal world), ensuring a steady supply of hydrogen for what is expected to be the largest hydrogen-powered public transport fleet in Europe to date.
HRS claims the project cements its position as a leader in heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling – a market that is gaining traction as cities across Europe move to decarbonise their bus networks.
The company said the deal clearly shows the growing demand for large-scale hydrogen refuelling solutions as transport authorities across the world shift away from their customary fuel of choice: diesel.
HRS Founder and CEO Hassen Rachedi framed this new order as a “milestone” for both the company and hydrogen mobility in general, saying: “This recognition from a major player for this ambitious project is a validation of our constant efforts to meet the challenges of the energy transition.
“This first order for our high-capacity HRS160 station is an important milestone for HRS, rewarding the commitment of our teams to develop ever more efficient stations adapted to the growing needs of the market.”
Rachedi added that they expect the project to demonstrate hydrogen’s viability for refuelling large-scale heavy-duty fleets and “pave the way for new opportunities.”
Scaling up hydrogen public transport
Public transport is shaping up to be one of hydrogen’s strongest use cases, especially in areas where battery-electric buses can struggle with range and refuelling times.
Hydrogen buses still make up a fraction of Europe’s zero-emission fleet, but demand is rising as operators look for solutions that can handle long routes with minimal downtime.
HRS says the new station will support continuous daily refuelling, ensuring that buses can be back on the road quickly – one of hydrogen’s key advantages over battery charging.
While details on the customer and exact location remain under wraps, HRS has promised to reveal more in a future update.
For now, the announcement shows the growing appetite for hydrogen as cities double down on emissions-free fleets
