Hydrogen Stations Network in Austria

The first hydrogen fueling station open to the public in Austria was opened in 2003 in Vienna. This milestone marked the beginning of a series of developments in the country's alternative fuel infrastructure. The Vienna station was equipped with advanced technology for hydrogen production and storage, enabling hydrogen vehicles to refuel safely and efficiently.

During the following years, more hydrogen stations opened in key cities such as Graz, Linz, and Salzburg. These facilities not only provided critical infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles, but also helped increase public awareness and acceptance of this technology.

The "H2 Connect Alps" project, with a budget of €45 million, is developing four high-altitude stations adapted to extreme conditions, ensuring hydrogen mobility in Alpine regions. The locations in Arlberg, Semmering, Tauern, and Pyhrn will ensure uninterrupted connectivity throughout the year.

The "H2 Rural Areas" initiative deploys six compact stations in low-density areas, using electrolyzers powered by local biomass. This decentralized model, awarded by the EU as a best practice for territorial cohesion, prevents the energy exclusion of peripheral areas.

The Ministry of Climate Action has approved the "H2 Austria 2030 Phase II" plan, which allocates an additional €200 million for 2025-2028. These funds will support 20 new stations, prioritizing intermodal hubs and cross-border corridors to the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

The "Klimafreundlich Mobil 2025" program has increased aid to €9,000 for FCEV passenger vehicles, with an additional €2,000 bonus for low-income vehicles. Commercial vehicles can access grants of up to €40,000, extendable to €60,000 for heavy-duty transport replacing Euro 4 or older diesel engines.

The registration tax exemption is now extended to 7 years, while the road tax exemption covers the entire useful life of the vehicle. Nine of the ten federal states offer unlimited free parking for FCEVs, and six allow the use of bus lanes in congested urban areas.

The new "H2 Gewerbe Bonus" provides €15,000 per refueling point installed in corporate fleets, up to a maximum of €150,000 per company. This measure has spurred the conversion of 120 corporate fleets during the first quarter of 2025.

The Austrian Climate Fund (Klimafonds) has launched the "H2 Tankstellen 2025" call for proposals with €35 million in grants, covering up to 60% of the installation costs for green hydrogen stations. SMEs can access free technical advice through the Hydrogen Competence Center Austria.

The "H2 Kommunal" program allocates €50 million specifically for municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, financing 70% of community station projects. By April 2025, 45 municipalities have been selected in the first two funding rounds.

The Austrian Investment Bank (OeBIB) is now offering zero-interest loans for the first three years for H2 infrastructure projects, with grace periods of up to 24 months. These conditions apply especially to stations located in EU cohesion regions.

Major cities and regions in Austria with hydrogen stations include:

• Vienna: The capital has several stations strategically located to facilitate access for hydrogen vehicle drivers.
• Graz: This city is a major center for technology and innovation and is home to several hydrogen stations.
• Linz: Located in central Austria, Linz is another key city with a growing hydrogen infrastructure.
• Salzburg: Known for its cultural heritage, Salzburg is also making progress in adopting clean energy technologies.
• Innsbruck: The capital of Tyrol is experiencing an increase in the number of hydrogen stations to support sustainable tourism.
• Klagenfurt: As part of the Carinthia region, Klagenfurt is developing its hydrogen station network.

Largest Hydrogen Station Operators in Austria

Some of the largest hydrogen station operators in Austria include:

• OMV: The Austrian energy company OMV is a leader in the development of hydrogen stations and has several facilities across the country.
• H2 Mobility Austria: This joint initiative brings together several companies to develop a nationwide network of hydrogen stations.
• HyCentA: The Hydrogen Competence Center in Graz is a major player in the research and development of hydrogen technologies.
• Verbund: The company Electric power is investing in the creation of hydrogen infrastructure, including refueling stations.
• OMV and Shell: These two companies are collaborating on several projects to expand the hydrogen refueling station network in Austria.

• https://www.omv.com
• https://www.h2mobility.at
• https://www.hycenta.at
• https://www.verbund.com
• https://www.shell.at