Top hydrogen-powered vehicles entering the market by 2030

Predictions of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market is expected to increase at a rate of 20% between 2025 and 2030, highlighting the accelerating development of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

From passenger cars to buses and trucks, hydrogen vehicles are being adopted across various sectors, with some models already hitting the road.

With the vehicle sector being a large culprit of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial for the transport sector to gravitate towards more sustainable methods. Hydrogen has significant potential to decarbonise energy intensive sectors, promising an alternative for zero emission road transport.

Through the potential of efficient hydrogen storing, it has peaked the attention of major automotive manufacturers who are working together on infrastructure projects.

Industry leaders such as BMW and Toyota are leading the way and demonstrating the potential that hydrogen holds in future energy supply. While hydrogen-powered vehicles are battling with competetive cost of other e-car prices, the future success of hydrogen as a fuel relies heavily on availability, demand and infrastructure development.

According to repports from Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence, the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.7% between 2025 and 2030 and is expected to reach $20,495 billion by 2030.

Alongisde the automotive industry, the hydrogen truck market is set to grow at a CAGR of 23.9% from 2025 to 2030, reaching $10bn by 2030.

For widescale deployment of hydrogen vehicles in the future, government and stakeholders must work together to build dense and user-friendly refuelling infrastructure, while ensuring energy  security is upheld in respective regions. Through an increase in hydrogen production, operation costs will see a dramatic decrease.

So lets get into the top hydrogen-powered vehicles which are set to enter the market by 2030.

Hydrogen-powered Volvo trucks

Volvo’s tests with trucks using hydrogen in combustion engines will begin in 2026.

Swedish auto manufacturer Volvo has announced the rollout of hydrogen truck testing by 2026, with aims of making the model commericially viable by 2030.

With aims of decarbonising heavy transport, the combustion engines are set to run on green hydrogen.

According to volvo, this model will compliment the company’s offering of other alternatives, such as battery electric trucks, fuel cell electric trucks and trucks that run on renewable fuels, like biogas and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).

Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management and Quality, Volvo Trucks said: “Trucks where the traditional internal combustion engine remains but runs on hydrogen will have the same performance and reliability as our diesel trucks, but with the added benefit of potentially net zero CO₂ emissions well-to-wheel”.

BMW iX5 HYDROGEN

A single hydrogen refueling in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen will take you 504 kilometers.

BMW has announced plans to launch its first mass-production hydrogen fuel cell electric car in 2028, utilising technology developed through its collaboration with Toyota.

BMW’s Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), was produced in the pilot plant in the Munich Research and Innovation Centre, implementing BMW hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The BMW iX5 is set to be equipped with a range of up to 313 miles, featuring a power capacity of 295 kW (401 hp).

Speaking to Dr. Michael Rath, Head of Hydrogen Vehicles, BMW Group, Hydrogen Industry Leaders gained an insight into the hydrogen strategies at BMW.

Rath said: “The BMW iX5 Hydrogen has embarked on a global deployment, with the vehicles now been driving in more than 20 countries around the world”.

The iX5 Hydrogen vehicles have now collectively covered nearly 1 million kilometers in total, highlighting its future potential.

“The main advantage for drivers is that a hydrogen car can be fully fueled in 3-4 minutes – like conventional combustion-engined vehicles – but also offers all the benefits of electric mobility” added Rath.

Hyundai ELEC CITY Fuel Cell

The hydrogen bus deployment follows Korea’s goal of raising hydrogen vehicles to 21,200 by 2030. Credit: Hyundai

Hyundai has already begun deploying the ELEC CITY Bus in limited numbers, but is continuing plans of increased deployment in South Korea to allign with the regions goals of increasing hydrogen vehicle development by 2030.

The Hyundai ELEC CITY bus features a 180-kW hydrogen fuel cell system, comprising of two 90-kW fuel cells with a “durable hydrogen diffusion layer and electrolyte membrane”. With five hydrogen tanks storing 34kg of hydrogen, the bus is set to offer a range of over 500km.

Being produced at the Jeonju Plant in South Korea, the ELEC CITY, follows the company’s Hydrogen Vision 2040’ initiative of exploring hdyrogen solutions.

JCB hydrogen engine vehicles

JCB’s certification milestone demonstrates that hydrogen combustion engines are now ready for real-world deployment.

UK construction company JCB recently unveiled its £100m combustion hydrogen engine, with aims of paving the way for a “zero emission solution” in the construction sector.

Although a future prospect, the hydrogen engine has been involved in discussions around the industry for further deployment in the mobility and transport sector.

Following the announcement, JCB installed one of its hydrogen engines into a 7.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter van – demonstrating its application possibilities.

Emphasising the capabilities Lord Bamford said: “The hydrogen engine we have installed in the truck is the same as those already powering prototype JCB machines, so there is no reason we should not see hydrogen combustion engines in vehicles used on the roads in the future, including cars.”

Tata Motors hydrogen trucks

Tata Motors have announced plans of launching its hydrogen trucks in the next couple of years. Credit: Tata Motors

Indian automotive giant Tata Motors recently announced India’s first ever hydrogen truck trials which oversaw the deployment of 16 vehicles and are set to last a period of 24 months.

According to reports, the automotive giant is set to launch commerical sale for the trucks within the next few years, marking a promising future for hydrogen vehicle development.

The flag off ceremony for India’s first hydrogen truck trials.

The trials will showcase trucks powered by both Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (H2-FCEV) technologies, offering an operational range of 300-500 km to ensure “high-performance transportation”.