Japan Launches Major Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck Subsidy to Transform Commercial Transport by 2030

Japan is making a bold move in the clean energy race. In May 2025, the country rolled out a major hydrogen fuel subsidy plan to help get more commercial fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) on the road. Launched by METI, the initiative will cover a whopping 75% of the cost difference between diesel and hydrogen at 90 hydrogen stations across key industrial areas like Aichi and Fukushima.

Japan’s Big Bet on Hydrogen Trucks

Here’s the big goal: grow the nation’s hydrogen truck fleet from just 160 today to a massive 17,000 by 2030. It’s a big step toward hitting Japan’s carbon neutrality targets and keeping its industrial sector competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Major players like Toyota, Yamato Transport, and Hino Motors are already testing fuel cell technology in their trucks. Meanwhile, SMBC is predicting that the cost of green hydrogen could drop by as much as 60% by the end of the decade — a game-changer for fleets considering the switch.

Clean Tech Is on the Fast Track

And the push doesn’t stop there. With METI also preparing to introduce carbon pricing in 2026, sticking with diesel may soon start to look like a losing bet. Between the falling price of hydrogen fuel cells and a growing hydrogen infrastructure, Japan’s aiming to make industrial decarbonization more than just a buzzword — it’s turning it into policy, investment, and action.