The transport sector accounts for nearly a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions. While electrification is advancing, hydrogen is expected to play a key role in decarbonising heavy-duty vehicles, long-distance freight, maritime transport, and aviation. Hydrogen fuel cells offer high energy density and rapid refuelling times, making them suitable for applications where battery-electric options are less viable.
CINEA is funding pilot deployments of hydrogen-powered vehicles and related infrastructure, development of refuelling infrastructure along the TEN-T network, and the integration of hydrogen mobility into logistics ecosystems. These projects contribute to EU goals on alternative fuels infrastructure and help develop a robust, interoperable hydrogen mobility market.
Project examples
ZEFES supports the deployment of hydrogen and electric zero-emission trucks across the TEN-T network. The project includes pilot operations of long-haul hydrogen trucks, refuelling infrastructure planning, and interoperability with energy and logistics systems.
Focus: Hydrogen trucks, logistics decarbonisation, TEN-T alignment.
EU contribution: € 23 195 078
Funding programme: Horizon Europe – Transport
Lead: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
ESCALATE develops high-capacity, high-efficiency hydrogen and battery-electric trucks for long-haul operations. It aims to improve payload, range, and refuelling/recharging capabilities while supporting the European Clean Mobility Strategy.
Focus: Vehicle technology, infrastructure requirements, heavy-duty H₂ vehicles.
EU contribution: € 16 594 389
Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Transport
Lead: FEV Europe GMBH
EMPOWER aims to deliver two modular and flexible Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles (ZE HDVs) of Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO) group 9.
The project will design, implement and deliver technology bricks and demonstrate the driving range and real-world operation performance of the two zero-emission HDVs in five long-haul and regional distribution use cases.
EU contribution: € 18 034 188
Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Transport
Lead: Ait Austrian Institute of Technology GMBH
The project will demonstrate how liquid hydrogen (LH2) handling and refuelling technologies can be developed and used safely and reliably for airport operations.
Developing aircraft using hydrogen is seen as a major lever to reaching the EU target of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and to secure the long-term sustainability of air travel. Hydrogen will also be a solution to decarbonise short- and medium-haul aviation and will be crucial for the advancement of low-carbon aviation operations.
If generated from renewable energy through electrolysis, hydrogen emits no CO2 emissions, thereby enabling renewable energy to potentially power large aircraft over long distances without this undesirable by-product.
EU contribution: € 10 800 157
Funding programme: Horizon Europe - Transport
Lead: Airbus
Energy Observer 2 (EO2) is developing the world’s first low-emissions cargo ship powered entirely by liquid hydrogen. The 160-metre vessel will operate on commercial routes along the Atlantic and North Sea coasts, carrying up to 1 100 containers (TEUs) with 100% operational capacity on hydrogen.
The ship integrates cryogenic tanks, high-performance fuel cells and a streamlined hull to maximise efficiency, achieving a 98% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered ships. EO2 will also meet upcoming FuelEU Maritime requirements, offering a competitive alternative to fossil-fuelled freight.
EU contribution: € 40 000 000
Funding programme: Innovation Fund
Lead: AssetCo EO2
LIFE GREENH2ORN will establish Greece’s first operational green hydrogen refuelling station with on-site production in Kozani, one of the EU’s 100 climate-neutral and smart cities, by 2030. The project will produce hydrogen via electrolysis to fuel municipal and private fleets, demonstrating applications across heavy, medium and light-duty mobility.
The station will supply at least one garbage truck, one road sweeper, five passenger cars and six scooters. An IT platform will support data management and maintenance, improving efficiency and monitoring.
By reducing transport emissions and proving the viability of hydrogen mobility, LIFE GREENH2ORN will provide a model for replication across Greece and beyond.
EU contribution: € 2 994 020
Funding programme: LIFE programme
Lead: Municipality of Kozani
The LIFE NEW HYTS project will demonstrate the possibilities for local production, distribution and use of green hydrogen for road transport. In doing so, it will aim to create the right conditions for a rapid uptake of green hydrogen fueled heavy-duty vehicles of different kinds.
Furthermore, the project will provide the Province of Utrecht with valuable data and practical support for accelerating the uptake of green hydrogen in transport, expanding the covenant and furthering its implementation in additional municipalities. It will serve as a blueprint for regional green hydrogen production, distribution and use elsewhere in the Netherlands, as well as the Bruges region in Belgium and the NorthRhein Westphalia region in Germany.
EU contribution: € 4 598 649
Funding programme: LIFE programme
Lead: KWR Water B.V. - M.W. van der Zouwen
The project is about the deployment of a Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) network at regional level and ensuring a sufficient consumption volume thus achieving a ‘critical mass’ to ignite the market. This will contribute laying foundations for future national and European H2 mobility strategies and is expected to foster Fuel Cell Electriv Vehicle (FCEV) use in France, significantly contributing to the European alternative fuels implementation strategy.
EU contribution: € 7 236 800
Funding programme: CEF Transport
Lead: Conseil Régional Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The project delivered a Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS) located in Ag. Theodoroi, Corinth, along the Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean Corridor. This is the first HRS deployed in Greece providing low-carbon and green hydrogen at both 350 and 700 bar for light and heavy-duty vehicles. This will serve long-distance demand along the Western Balkan, Mediterranean Sea Transport European Transport Corridor, as well as local traffic. This project constitutes a first important step to decarbonise the transport sector in Greece, as well as reducing emissions and noise.
EU contribution: € 1 455 492
Funding programme: CEF Transport
Lead: AVINOIL
The project develops scalable, cost-efficient solutions to decarbonise medium to large fishing vessels (+12m). It aims to integrate solutions such as enhanced hydrodynamics, advanced electrical power management systems, full electric propulsion using hydrogen and batteries, etc. HY2FISH aims to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional designs, and up to 100% when powered entirely by renewable electricity and hydrogen. The solutions are designed as modular, “plug-and-play” technologies that can be retrofitted across a wide range of vessels, ensuring cost-effective upscaling beyond the project’s lifetime.
EU contribution: € 2 197 211 Funding programme: Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA)
Lead: Arvi