This Hydrogen Station Can Fuel an Entire Fleet in Minutes – Here’s How It Works

HRS’s Hydrogen Leap Forward: Pioneering Clean Energy Solutions

Hydrogen Refueling Solutions (HRS), a French designer and manufacturer of hydrogen stations and a recognized European leader in the field, continues to push the boundaries of clean energy innovation. Following its announcement of the upcoming very high-capacity HRS160 station, HRS has also revealed the successful completion of its first hydrogen refuelings using the HRS40 station in Saint-Sulpice, Occitanie, France.

This impressive string of advancements further cements HRS’s pivotal role in the energy transition, showcasing new levels of efficiency, scalability, and commitment to decarbonizing transportation networks.

Breaking Down the HRS160 Technology

One of HRS’s flagship projects, the HRS160 station, is poised to reshape the hydrogen fueling infrastructure in Europe. With a compression capacity of 160 kilograms per hour and six distribution terminals, this station is a trailblazing development in the industry. Designed to support public transit, it offers unmatched performance by efficiently refueling buses and other heavy-duty vehicles continuously throughout the day.

By compressing hydrogen gas into high-pressure storage tanks and dispensing it quickly through advanced nozzles, the HRS160 ensures minimal downtime for transport operators. This innovation is a significant leap in the quest for sustainable urban mobility.

HRS40 Station in Saint-Sulpice Achieves Key Milestone

Meanwhile, the HRS40 station at Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe (Occitanie, France) adds another feather to HRS’s cap. Installed at the end of 2024 for SEVEN, a major player in the energy transition and a partner in the European Corridor H2 project, the station has already completed its first refuelings at both 350 and 700 bar.

The refuelings were carried out on a retrofitted bus for the Occitanie region, with a 35.8 kg hydrogen tank, and a Toyota Mirai, equipped with a 5.6 kg tank at 700 bar. This success came just six weeks after the station’s installation, thanks to rigorous testing and precision development work by HRS teams.

With a capacity of one ton of hydrogen per day, the HRS40 in Saint-Sulpice is set to refuel a fleet of 15 hydrogen-powered nozzles, contributing significantly to the decarbonization of transportation in the region. This station is also part of a broader strategic initiative to create a hydrogen refueling network that spans from the Iberian Peninsula to Northern Europe, supported by the European Investment Bank and the European Commission.

A European First in Large-Scale Hydrogen Infrastructure

While the HRS160 sets a new benchmark as Europe’s first very high-capacity station, the HRS40 highlights HRS’s ability to deploy scalable solutions on shorter timelines. Combined, these projects reflect HRS’s adaptability in addressing diverse market demands, from high-capacity public transit hubs to multi-energy stations in strategic corridors.

Projects like these play an essential role in realizing Europe’s vision for clean energy and sustainable urban growth. With public transport networks under pressure to reduce emissions, hydrogen technology offers a viable path forward.

HRS’s Expanding Role and Recent Milestones

Beyond infrastructure deployment, HRS has forged influential partnerships to fuel further advancements. Collaborating with Toyota Motor Europe and ENGIE, HRS is pioneering dual-nozzle technology, enabling faster refueling for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles. This partnership emphasizes the importance of cross-industry innovation in advancing zero-emission mobility.

HRS has also made strides in global expansion, delivering a record number of hydrogen stations and investing in cutting-edge technologies, such as electrolysis, to lower hydrogen production costs. These efforts showcase HRS’s commitment to scaling hydrogen adoption across industries and geographies.

Toyota hydrogen refueling system – Image Credit Toyota

Toyota’s Role in Advancing Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure

Toyota Motor Europe plays a crucial role in the development and expansion of hydrogen refueling technology through its collaboration with HRS and ENGIE. As part of this partnership, Toyota has contributed to the advancement of dual-nozzle technology, a significant innovation that enables faster, more efficient refueling for both light-duty vehicles like the Toyota Mirai and heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks.

This technology directly complements the infrastructure deployed by HRS, streamlining hydrogen refueling processes and minimizing downtime for users. Toyota’s involvement underscores its strategic focus on making hydrogen-powered vehicles more accessible and practical across diverse transport sectors.

While the dual-nozzle technology is not exclusively linked to the HRS40 station in Saint-Sulpice, Toyota’s push to create more seamless and efficient refueling solutions indirectly supports projects like the European Corridor H2. These advancements ensure that stations like the HRS40 are capable of addressing future needs as hydrogen adoption scales up.

Clean Energy’s Bigger Picture

The significance of hydrogen infrastructure goes far beyond transportation. Hydrogen’s potential to decarbonize heavy industries, power efficient energy grids, and replace fossil fuels on global shipping routes illustrates its role as a pillar of the energy transition.

HRS’s efforts in Saint-Sulpice and across Europe align with these larger goals. By enabling robust, reliable refueling networks, they lay the groundwork for a cleaner future. Such stations help pave the way for hydrogen as a mainstream energy source, integrating seamlessly into long-haul logistics and urban sustainability initiatives.

The rapid growth of the hydrogen market, with a projected annual increase of more than 23%, reflects its increasing importance in global sustainability efforts. Initiatives like the European Corridor H2 project demonstrate how collaborative innovation can drive change, leveraging support from public and private sectors alike.

How HRS’s Technology Shapes the Present and Future

While 2026 awaits the HRS160, the active deployment of the HRS40 in Saint-Sulpice reveals how hydrogen technology can make an immediate difference. Even at a smaller scale, stations such as these show us what’s possible today. Municipalities can integrate hydrogen refueling into their transport systems, delivering cleaner commutes and meeting climate targets without delay.

On a larger scale, the interoperability of future high-capacity stations like the HRS160 allows for a transformation in heavy-duty transportation, removing bottlenecks and accelerating the transition to zero-emission fleets. Meanwhile, projects like the European Corridor H2 initiative illustrate the importance of strategic, cross-border refueling networks in fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem.

Step by step, HRS, in collaboration with key partners like Toyota, proves that practical solutions to decarbonize transportation are already within reach. These advancements hold the potential to bring us closer to a future where urban mobility is not only cleaner but also more efficient and accessible for everyone. And that’s a reality worth striving for.